A Deadly Mutation Plagues 14 Percent of U.S. Dairy Cows
A new test that spots this deadly mutation can save dairy farmers millions.
In 1962, the Arlinda farm in Northern California purchased a milk cow from Nebraska named Beauty. The manager bought the cow because she produced a lot of milk, but there was a big bonus: Beauty was pregnant. It would prove to be one of the most significant purchases in the history of the dairy industry.
That’s because her male calf turned out to be quite special. Named Chief—Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief, to be exact—the young bull had an enormous appetite, fierce strength, a broad chest, a large muzzle and a thick body, all sought-after traits. He had “a front
