Today’s dairy farmers aren’t just bringing milk, cheese and butter to the table – they’re also bringing beef. And, it’s adding some serious value to their operations.
With week-old beef-on-dairy calves fetching nearly $1,000 in some parts of the country, prices are turning heads and calves are turning profits, pushing producers to prioritize their beef-on-dairy mating selections. And with crossbred calf prices through the roof, making the right beef semen selection has the potential to push those sky-high prices even higher.
Robert Weber, professor and department head for the Eastern Kansas Research and Extension Center at Kansas State University, highlights three considerations every dairy farmer should keep in mind before selecting semen for their beef-on-dairy program:
Understand Industry Dynamics – As market conditions and consumer demands evolve, producers should align their beef-on-dairy mating programs with current and anticipated market needs. This alignment can be achieved by partnering with genetics consultants, utilizing specialized mating decision tools, and staying informed on industry trends.
“In the past, there has been limited knowledge of beef-on-dairy pairing criteria,” Weber says. “Genetic companies saw the need for a better selection index to accommodate this production model. More research has been conducted to refine beef bull trait criteria, particularly for dairy cows, and create a beef-on-dairy sire directory and customized selection index.”
He recommends collaborating closely with your semen provider to understand what tools are available to make the most informed decisions possible.
Map It Out - Just like any breeding program, your beef-on-dairy mating decisions should align with ‘big-picture’ goals of your farm.
“Consider the specific breeding objectives of your operation,” Weber says. “Are the primary goals centered around maximizing milk production, ensuring high fertility rates or perhaps both? Dairy semen is the preferred option if the aim is to maintain or enhance dairy-specific traits such as milk yield and production of replacement females. On the other hand, if the focus is on enhancing growth rates, feed efficiency, improving carcass quality and aligning with market demands favoring beef characteristics, opting for beef semen is a more viable option.”
Evaluate Traits – When making mating decisions, producers will often turn their focus toward the traits certain sires possess. However, Weber says it’s imperative not to overlook the valuable contributions of the dam.
“Advancements in breeding practices have debunked the misconception that using beef semen adversely affects milk production,” he explains. “Producers no longer have to stick to the old rule of using beef semen only on their lowest performing cows. Instead, they can customize their breeding plans and choose beef traits and bulls/breeds that excel in those areas which complement Holstein and Jersey’s genetic potential for marbling and consistency.”
To optimize crossbred calves, producers should establish specific criteria for selecting dams before breeding a dairy animal with beef semen. Consider factors such as the number of calvings, genetic merit, production records, and genomic testing results. Sire traits to select for include frame size, muscling, ribeye area and calving ease. This approach ensures that only the most suitable dams and sires are chosen for crossbreeding, ultimately maximizing the value of their beef-on-dairy program.
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