A Commentary on Extension Programming: An Overview of the Extension Program Related to Genetic Selection and Profitability on Dairy Farms
Rebecca L. Weir(a), Joleen C. Hadrich(b)
(a)Pennsylvania State University, (b)University of Minnesota
JEL Codes: Q14, Q16
Keywords: evaluation, Extension program, farm management, genetic selection
First Published Online: June 3, 2026
Abstract
This commentary describes an Extension program that was developed from an academic research
project. The program titled “Dairy Genetics: How does investment in genetics impact dairy farm
profitability?” was developed for the 2025 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA)
Graduate Student Extension Competition. This program takes academic research and provides
meaningful transitways to disseminate research results to applicable audiences. The delivery plans include in-person presentations, a podcast recording, two popular press articles, and an online fact sheet
References
Center for Farm Financial Management. 2022. Farm Financial Scorecard. Available online: https://www.cffm.umn.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2019/02/FarmFinanceScorecard.pdf
Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB). 2024. Top Animal Listing [database]. Available online: https://uscdcb.com/ [Accessed January 3, 2024]
FINBIN. 2022a. “Livestock Enterprise Analysis” [data file]. Available online: http://finbin.umn.edu [Accessed April 6, 2022]
———. 2022b. “Whole Farm Enterprise Analysis” [data file]. Available online: http://finbin.umn.edu [Accessed April 6, 2022]
University of Minnesota. 2025a. “Farm Finance.” Available online: https://extension.umn.edu/business/farm-finance
———. 2025b, October 6. “How Genetics Drive Dairy Profitability: Insights from Minnesota Herds.” UMN Extension's The Moos Room. Available online: https://moosroom.transistor.fm/episodes/episode-315-umn-extensions-the-moos-room
VanRaden, P.M., J.B. Cole, M. Neupane, S. Toghiani, K.L. Gaddis, and R.J. Tempelman. 2021. Net Merit as a Measure of Lifetime Profit: 2021 Revision. USDA Agricultural Research Service, AIPL Research Report NM$8 (05-21). Available online: https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/80420530/Publications/ARR/nmcalc-2021_ARR-NM8.pdf
Weir, R.L. 2025, October 25. “Does Genetic Investment Improve Profitability?” Dairy Star. Available online: https://cdn6.creativecirclemedia.com/dairystar/files/20251024-085628-cd8-10-25-25-Zone1.pdf
Weir, R.L., I.W. Haagen, C.E. Ambrozek, C.D. Dechow, and J.C. Hadrich. 2025. “Association of Sire Net Merit with Farm Profitability for Minnesota Dairy Farms.” Journal of Dairy Science 108(7):7224–7234. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-25922
Articles in this issue
The Cost of Capital of Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Costco, and Publix in 2025
Carlos J.O. Trejo-Pech
Cobb–Douglas Production Functions: Bringing Theory and Statistics Together in the Intermediate Micro/Macro Classroom
Mark L. Burkey
Evolving Curriculum to Prepare Students to Solve Problems That Don’t Yet Exist: The Application of Horizon-Scanning
Joe Parcell(a)
Strengthening Macroeconomics Training to Prepare Agribusiness Students for a Changing Economic Landscape
Gulcan Onel, Jennifer Clark, Caleb Stair, Jared Gars, and James Seale Jr.
Avoid Falling from the Enrollment Cliff: Finding Treasures from Rural Areas May Be a Solution for Some Universities
Kuan-Ming Huang and Joshua G. Maples
Skills and Capabilities Needed for Agribusiness Graduates
Ifeloluwa R. Odiase , Aaron J Johnson, W. Scott Downey , and Rodney B. Holcomb
Technical Skills and Their Roles in Agribusiness Supply Chain Management Education
Ryan Loy, Logan L. Britton, and F. Bailey Norwood
Juggling Students and Industry Needs: Redesigning an Academic Agribusiness Program
Serhat Asci, Todd Lone, and Pei Xu
Re-engaging Traditional Students and Attracting New Talent to Agricultural and Applied Economics Curricula and Agribusiness Careers
English Ratliff, Sierra Howry, Kenrett Jefferson Moore, Jerrod Penn, Mohammed Ibrahim, et.al
Designing a Farm and Ranch Management Plan: A Teaching Template
Nicole Karwowski and Beth Shirley
Seven Editions of Pedagogical Innovation: Insights for Developing an Agribusiness Management Curriculum for the Twenty-First Century
Jay Akridge, Freddie L. Barnard, Brady E. Brewer, W. David Downey, John C. Foltz, Trey Malone
A Transdisciplinary Approach to Undergraduate Sustainability Education: Resource Economics by Way of Business and Science
Anna A. Klis and Laura Jackson Young
International Food Safety Regulations in the Almond Industry: Insights, Regulations, and Strategies
Mina Hejazi, Jeta Rudi-Polloshka, Karla Ahumada, and Amanda Lathrop
Simulating Farm-Level Decision-Making in Smallholder Farming: The Green Revolution Game as an Experiential Tool for Teaching Agricultural and Development Economics
Stephen C. Mukembo and Kelly R. Wilson
Simulating Store Management and Competition in Food Retailing
Richard Volpe and Jeremiah Danley
Introducing Concepts Through Games in the Economics Classroom
Anthony R. Delmond, Joey E. Mehlhorn, and R. Shawn Nanney
SideQuest: How a Custom-Built Gamification Platform Can Improve Student Learning and Socialization
Chris Finaret and Jesse Cirimel
Teaching Approaches to Ethical Generative Artificial Intelligence Use in Agricultural Economics Classrooms
Bailey Peterson-Wilhelm, Merri E. Day, Priyanka Sharma, Jiyeon Kim, Lonnie Hobbs Jr.,. et.al
A Commentary on Extension Programming: An Overview of the Extension Program Related to Genetic Selection and Profitability on Dairy Farms
Rebecca L. Weir , Joleen C. Hadrich