The power of beef-on-dairy breeding programs

Abstract

In the recent years, dairy farms have dramatically improved fertility programs, while also changing to a higher percent of sex-sorted semen used within the farm. This has led to a sur­plus of heifer inventory, especially for a stable dairy farm. At the same time, there is an opportunity to improve the market­ability of the dairy-breed calf intended for meat production through introducing terminal beef cross sires into the breed­ing strategy. This introduction of beef genetics improves meat yield grade and overall carcass characteristics compared to a purebred dairy calf. A dairy producer can successfully imple­ment this strategy knowing their total need for dairy replace­ment heifers for herd maintenance and/or expansion. The beef-on-dairy cross can aid in market diversification for the dairy producer and reduces the historical concerns of dairy breed animals finished in the feedlot and within the meat processing industry.