Professor Jennie Pryce, a leading authority in dairy genetics, will present her insights at the upcoming Dairy Research Foundation Symposium. With a focus on how genetics fuels innovation in the dairy industry, her talk promises to shed light on the evolving landscape of dairy breeding.
As the Research Director at Agriculture Victoria Research and a Professor at La Trobe University, Professor Pryce has made significant contributions to dairy breeding science. Her expertise has shaped advancements aimed at improving animal performance, welfare, and environmental sustainability. Recognised as Australia’s top researcher in animal husbandry from 2019 to 2022 by The Australian, her extensive background equips her to address the challenges faced by livestock producers and translate genetic research into practical applications.
Originally hailing from a dairy farming family in the UK, Professor Pryce’s passion for genetics began at a young age. “I grew up on a dairy farm and told my grandmother when I was 11 that I wanted to be a geneticist,” she recalled. “I did not really know what that meant at the time, but I have definitely been true to that.”
Her academic journey commenced at the University of Edinburgh, where she earned a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours and a PhD. In 2001, she moved to New Zealand to work with the Livestock Improvement Corporation, before relocating to Australia in 2008. In Melbourne, she joined Agriculture Victoria, collaborating with notable scientists such as Ben Hayes and Mike Goddard. “I came to Melbourne to work on genomic selection,” she said. “It was an amazing opportunity and a turning point for dairy breeding.”
At this year’s symposium, Professor Pryce will discuss the next generation of genetic tools that can enhance productivity, efficiency, and environmental stewardship in the dairy sector. Her presentation will cover how genetic selection can lead to reduced methane emissions, improved fertility, enhanced animal health, and increased farm profitability. “Genetics is a powerful and permanent method of change,” she stated. “Every time a farmer breeds a cow and chooses the right bull, they make a small but lasting improvement that compounds over generations.”
Additionally, Professor Pryce is involved in the MicroHub initiative, an international project analyzing the microbiomes of cattle worldwide to deepen the understanding of methane production and rumen health. “We are part of a global project that will examine more than 20,000 microbiomes from cattle across multiple countries,” she explained. “It is the largest study of its kind and will give us new insights into breeding for a more efficient dairy cow and environmental impact.”
The integration of technology in dairy farming also excites Professor Pryce. She highlights the potential of wearable sensors and artificial intelligence to improve herd management and animal welfare. “I think in ten years it will be normal for every calf to be genotyped,” she noted. “That will give farmers better information and greater confidence in every breeding decision.”
Professor Pryce elaborated on the existing data that farmers collect, such as milk records, and pointed to the next frontier of using wearable sensors to track cow behavior. “Tracking how long cows spend lying down could become a new, objective measure for lameness and welfare,” she said. She believes that while AI can enhance the use of data, skilled professionals are essential to interpret it effectively. “Otherwise, it is like having a Ferrari driven by a kid,” she added.
The insights and expertise that Professor Pryce brings to the symposium are expected to resonate with attendees, offering forward-looking perspectives on the role of science in achieving sustainable growth within the dairy sector. “Genetics offers an extraordinary opportunity to build a more efficient and sustainable future for dairy,” she affirmed. “The science is exciting, but it is the impact for farmers that really matters.”
