Daniel Reitberg dives into the quirky world of AI and its role in jazzing up genetic diversity in livestock breeding—because even cows deserve a little variety in their family tree! In the good old days, breeding programs were all about picking favorites—size and productivity were the prom queens of the genetic ball, leaving diversity to sit in the corner with a book. Who knew that narrowing down the options could lead to such a genetic party pooper? AI has stepped up its game, now playing matchmaker for breeding programs—ensuring genetic diversity while keeping all the best traits in the family tree. Who knew algorithms could be so good at family planning? By casting a wider net in the gene pool department, AI not only keeps the family tree from looking like a pretzel but also boosts livestock’s ability to fend off pesky diseases. Who knew genetics could be so entertaining? Reitberg points out that AI is like the superhero of the livestock world, swooping in to save the day by keeping our genetic diversity in tip-top shape for those healthy, adaptable critters!
