What Is the Genetic Data Partner Program?
The Genetic Data Partner (GDP) program is a young sire sampling initiative designed to evaluate promising sires that may not initially receive widespread attention but still hold strong genetic potential.
Through partnerships with dairy farms across the U.S., Select Sires distributes semen from these young sires to collect fertility, production, and type data. This data helps determine which sires should advance to the daughter-proven lineup.
Why the GDP Program Matters
The program exists to ensure dairy producers have access to accurate, reliable genetic information. By collecting clean, unbiased data from multiple environments, Select Sires can:
- Identify high-performing sires earlier
- Improve genetic progress across herds
- Provide more reliable proofs for producers
- Support long-term breeding success
Without this data, making informed decisions about sire selection and genetic advancement would be far less effective.
How the GDP Program Works
1. Young Sire Sampling
Each year, Select Sires samples approximately 120 young sires, using both conventional and sexed semen. These sires represent strong genetic diversity, with dozens of unique sire and maternal lines.
2. Partner Herd Participation
The program includes 60+ partner herds nationwide, ranging from 100 to over 8,000 cows. These farms use the semen and provide critical data through:
- DHI (Dairy Herd Improvement) testing
- National Cooperative Database reporting
- Type classification (SET evaluations)
3. Data Collection
Three key performance areas are measured:
- Fertility (SCR scores)
- Production (Milk, Fat, Protein)
- Type traits (conformation and structure)
This data feeds into genetic evaluations used during sire summaries to determine the sires future.
Benefits for Dairy Producers
Participating in the GDP program offers several advantages:
- Early access to elite young sires
- Opportunities to influence genetic progress
- Incentives to offset early-use risks
- Improved herd genetics through leading-edge sires
For the broader industry, the program ensures more accurate and trustworthy genetic evaluations.
The Value of Proven Genetics
One of the biggest outcomes of the GDP program is the development of proven sires backed by real data.
In fact:
- About 50% of Select Sires’ proven lineup are GDP alumni
- Sires are tested across diverse environments, improving reliability
This gives producers confidence when selecting sires for long-term performance and herd improvement.
Notable GDP Alumni Bulls
Several well-known sires have come through the program, including 7HO14454 LIONEL, 14HO15179 TROOPER, 14HO15831 EAST, 14HO16082 FRAMPTON, 7HO14985 RUPERT and 7HO15471 ZZ TOP. These sires demonstrate how early data collection can identify sires that go on to make a major industry impact.
Genetic Diversity and Breeding Flexibility
The GDP program prioritizes genetic diversity, making it possible for producers to build breeding programs with reduced inbreeding risk.
While sampling is largely random to ensure unbiased results, Select Sires works with herds to align with goals such as:
- A2A2 genetics
- Health and fertility traits
- Production-focused breeding
How to Join the GDP Program
Interested producers can easily get involved:
Contact your Select Sires representative, mating specialist, or local cooperative
Ensure your herd participates in official DHI testing