LUKE’s VikingRed herd leads Finland’s dairy industry

The Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) has set the standard for VikingRed breeding in Finland, with its research herd in Jokioinen achieving the highest breeding values in the country for several years. With an impressive average Nordic Total Merit (NTM) value of 12.7, the herd’s success is no surprise—it is the result of years of dedicated collaboration with VikingGenetics.

Since 1997, LUKE’s Minkiö research herd in Jokioinen has been crucial in advancing dairy genetics. The herd focuses exclusively on the VikingRed breeding program, ensuring access to the best possible genetics.

Nordic farmers play a key role in the VikingEmbryo program. By genomically testing their animals, they can identify top heifer candidates for VikingGenetics’ embryo production.

The heifers arrive at the Hollola donor station between five and eight months old. They undergo either IVF or traditional flushing and, once enough embryos are collected, are sold to buyers. Many are inseminated with top sires before leaving, making them even more valuable for farmers.

Johanna Aro, Breeding Specialist at VikingGenetics, emphasises the impact of this partnership: “The heifers in our breeding program represent the elite of the elite. By integrating LUKE’s research objectives with our breeding efforts, we ensure that the cows in their herd are the same animals that will shape the future of Finnish dairy farming.”

Click below to learn about the bulls VikingGenetics has purchased from LUKE.

For LUKE researchers, genetic quality is not just a goal—it is essential. “We need research animals that represent the future of dairy farming,” says Research Professor Martin Lidauer. “By working with VikingGenetics, we ensure that our herd aligns with the genetic advancements that will define dairy farming ten years from now,” he adds.

The staff also eagerly await the completion of a new, modern facility to replace the existing barn. The upgraded facility will provide an environment that mirrors modern commercial dairy farms, bringing more relevant and applicable benefits to dairy farmers.

Research at the Minkiö barn has provided top-quality data on how efficiently cows convert feed into milk, improving breeding decisions across the Nordics. Other successes include a new breeding model for better cow energy use and the ability to breed identical twin calves.

One of the biggest breakthroughs has been eliminating soy-based feeds from Finnish dairy farms, cutting feed costs and making milk production more sustainable.

“Our feeding trials demonstrated that rapeseed-based feeds outperform soy in terms of production efficiency,” says Marketta Rinne, Research Professor at LUKE. “This is a major win for sustainability and the image of Finnish dairy farming,” she adds.

Ultimately, LUKE’s mission is to boost genetic progress for the benefit of all Nordic dairy farmers.

“Our collaboration with VikingGenetics and Faba has been instrumental in elevating genetic quality,” Schulman concludes. “This work doesn’t stop here—we will continue pushing the boundaries of dairy research and breeding for years to come.”