Dairy Reproduction

High Bull Prices? Why AI is the Cost-Effective Genetic Alternative

Thu, 14 May 2026 14:01:35 GMT

Short on bull power? Artificial insemination (AI) might be the better option for a variety of reasons.

“Bull prices are pretty high, especially high-quality bulls, versus semen prices have remained pretty steady,” explains Jaclyn Ketchum. “So you have access to genetics that you maybe wouldn’t have had access to if you don’t use AI, but then also at a more reasonable price.”

Ketchum ranches with her family in southeast Montana and has taken over the family’s custom AI business. However, prior to this endeavor, she studied reproductive physiology, obtaining a master’s degree at the University of Missouri and her doctorate at Texas A&M.

She reminds producers that the list of benefits from AI differs depending on the type of AI protocol used.

“There’s a list of benefits for AI in general and then there’s a whole list of other benefits for fixed-time artificial insemination with synchronization,” Ketchum says.

Three general benefits of AI include:

Access to bulls with more genetic potential at a lower cost than natural service sires.
Greater bull-to-cow ratio for cleanup.
Access to sexed semen. Sexed semen allows producers to be more consistent in producing high-quality replacement females and high-quality steers.

AI also reduces risks such as bull injuries or failed breeding soundness exams, which can cost producers thousands of additional dollars each year.

AI with synchronization, also known as fixed-time AI, takes the benefits of AI in general to a whole new level because calves have both genetic and age uniformity.

“They’re going to be more similar in age when it comes to weaning time,” Ketchum says. “And then you have a greater set of immunity because they’re getting vaccinated at similar ages.”

Overall uniformity is attractive to feedlots and bred-heifer buyers as well.

She says, “If you’re selling bred heifers, you can breed those heifers to a really popular sire, which will then increase demand for those when you go to sell them. So there’s a whole gamut of benefits from fixed-time AI.”

To fully reap the benefits of AI, producers must set themselves up for success.

“A lot of people would love to just show up on AI day and say, ‘It’s going to be a wonderful day. We’re going to get all these cows bred.’ But in reality, it’s everything leading up to that day and everything following that day that really dictates how successful that event is,” explains Ketchum.

Communication between the producer and AI technician, supply provider, semen provider and employees or day workers is all-important.

“The synchronization protocol typically is three days minimum, if not more,” explains Ketchum. “You might need a crew for all of those days, so communicate which days and times they are needed.”

Once all the supplies and extra supplies are taken care of, facilities also need to be in working order.

Ketchum explains, “If you don’t go through your facility and make sure that your chute’s working and that everything’s set up to work where everything flows really well and then something happens and your timing gets off, then that impacts your AI date as well.”

Managing expectations also matters when determining how successful an AI event was or wasn’t. Keep in mind experience levels of technicians, if timing was off for the protocol or if weather events occurred.

“Hot is really bad for conception rates,” says Ketchum.

However, there’s only so much producers can do if the weather shifts or a storm rolls in.

AI is a valuable tool for cattle producers across the world. Producers are sure to reap the benefits if effort is taken to prepare the cattle and crew prior to breeding day.
Listen to the full conversation on the Casual Cattle Conversations podcas t.

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Can We Shape Calves Before Birth?

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:35:48 GMT

What if the most powerful determinant of a calf’s lifetime performance isn’t the genetics you select or the ration you feed, but the environment that calf experienced as a one-cell embryo? As research accelerates, developmental programming is becoming one of the most promising frontiers in cattle reproduction.

For two decades, the beef and dairy industries have focused relentlessly on improving fertility — and it worked. Conception rates rose, days open stabilized and the long slide in reproductive performance reversed. With conventional reproductive efficiency nearing a functional ceiling, scientists are shifting attention upstream, where the environment itself may program the future trajectory of the calf.

It’s well known that a resulting phenotype represents the consequence of genotype and environmental interactions. The performance of an animal depends on the genes they inherited, how much feed they get, whether they get sick, whether it’s hot or cold, and a plethora of other environmental factors.

“We’ve made tremendous progress in optimizing the environment that those animals are raised in by providing the best nutrition, the best housing, the optimal photo period and treating disease with pharmaceuticals to optimize phenotype,” says Peter Hansen of the University of Florida. “But we usually do that after the animals are born. We don’t really think too much about what is happening to those animals when they’re embryos or when they’re fetuses or even when the germ cells are being produced.”

Evidence of Developmental Programming

Recent work has shown us the environment of the mother and the early embryo can affect the postnatal phenotype of that embryo. The environment of the fetus can affect what kind of calf it becomes.

When embryos are produced in vitro, they are put in an artificial medium. Under normal protocols, this culture medium is choline-free. Choline is a methyl donor that may factor into the one-carbon metabolism of bovine embryos. In the uterus, choline is present at millimolar concentrations.

Work led by Eliam Estrada-Cortes in Dr. Hansen’s lab investigated the effect of culturing bovine embryos with or without choline. They found choline cultured embryos resulted in calves that were heavier at weaning with altered muscle DNA methylation.

“We’ve done this experiment three times, and each time the choline calves weigh more than the calves without choline. And that goes all the way through to slaughter,” Hansen says. A nutrient present (or absent) in the culture dish during critical development time can make a big difference.

The condition of the fertilizing bull can also affect embryonic development and quality. Arslan Tariq from the University of Florida investigated the effect of bull overnutrition on fertility, finding heavier bulls produced semen that delayed embryonic development and decreased embryo quality, without changes to sperm motility or fertilization rate.

Historically, seminal plasma is removed from sperm for artificial insemination as it contains elements that can be detrimental during storage. That being said, seminal plasma modulates the maternal environment in a significant way, impacting the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. As a part of her PhD thesis, Gabriela Macay at the University of Florida evaluated the reproductive, health and production performance of female offspring conceived in the presence of seminal plasma. These animals had increased birth weights, increased milk yield and had greater persistence in the herd compared to controls.

“What we now know is the environment of the mother that the early embryo is in can affect the postnatal phenotype of that embryo. The environment of the fetus can affect what kind of calf it becomes,” Hansen says. “And the environment of the bull.”

How Does This Affect Reproductive Management?

Developmental programming shifts reproductive management from a focus on achieving conception to a broader view of how early-life conditions shape an animal’s long-term health, productivity and resilience. This expands the veterinary role from problem solver to long term system designer who helps producers make choices that shape herd-level outcomes years down the line.

The next revolution in cattle reproduction may come from understanding the earliest biological environment that determines how a calf learns to grow, metabolize and perform.

Beef-on-Dairy Decisions, Opportunities

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:01:27 GMT

Beef-on-dairy breeding continues to grow in popularity in U.S. dairy herds. The trend has been fueled by multiple factors, including low value for dairy bull calves; limited packer interest for dairy fed cattle at this time; large dairy heifer inventories; high costs for raising replacement dairy heifers with comparatively low market values; and more targeted sorting of dairy herds for breeding and genetic advancement strategies.

Will the trend continue? That may depend on how successfully the dairy industry aligns with the desires of the beef industry, according to a pair of University of Wisconsin Extension educators.

Bill Halfman, Monroe County, and Ryan Sterry, St. Croix County, helped manage a survey of dairy producers in Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa in the fall and winter of 2018. The purpose of the study was to assess how herds utilize beef genetics on dairy cattle, including how they determine whether to breed individual animals to beef or dairy sires, along with their beef sire-selection criteria.

A total of 69 herd managers from Wisconsin (47), Michigan (15) and Iowa (7) responded to the survey. Dairies of various sizes who were likely to be using beef genetics were recruited. Of them, 53 were found to be using beef genetics, of which 45 answered the majority of survey questions.

In selecting dams for beef crossbreds, survey results included:

Herds were more likely to be using beef genetics to breed lactating females versus virgin heifers.Only 13% of those using beef genetics were breeding more than 10% of their heifers to beef sires, while 80% of respondents were using beef genetics on more than 10% of their lactating cows.
Heifer inventories largely dictated what portion of the herd would receive beef semen. More than 80% of respondents cited dairy replacement inventories as one of the primary drivers of beef breeding decisions.
Failure to conceive to dairy semen was the top criteria in choosing to breed to beef semen.Choosing beef semen as a back-up for repeat breeders was listed as at least one criteria for 80% of respondents, and the top criteria for 38% of respondents.

Regarding beef sire selection, the survey showed:

Black Angus was the overwhelmingly favorite beef breed.More than 60% of respondents said they used Black Angus sires, followed by Lim-Flex (12%); Limousin (11%); SimAngus (7%); Simmental (6%); and other (2%).
Semen cost was identified most often as a high priority in beef sire selection.More than half (51%) of respondents noted semen cost as at least one key criteria for the beef sires they chose, followed by conception rate (49%); calving ease (44%); solid black hair coat (24%); and having the decision made for them by a mating service (24%). Traits for marbling, ribeye area and frame score were far behind.

In a follow-up report , Amanda Cauffman, Grant County, and Sterry noted a disconnect between dairy producers’ criteria for selecting beef sires, and priorities of the beef feeder segment receiving the calves. In contrast to dairy breeders’ selection criteria for beef sires, the feedlot segment prioritizes carcass value; carcass weight; feed efficiency; ribeye area; muscling; moderate frame score (Holsteins); increased carcass weight (Jerseys); and using homozygous polled bulls.

“Some traits important to the dairy do not add value in the feedlot or to the carcass,” the authors stated. They would like to encourage dairy producers to consider traits that will result in more desirable beef animals in addition to the traits that are important to the dairy, instead of just black calves that may not perform uniformly. For example, Holsteins tend to marble well, but have small, elongated ribeyes and undesirably large frames if rations are improperly managed. Selecting beef sires based on ribeye EPDs, carcass weight and frame size could help improve areas in which dairy fed cattle tend to fall short, thus creating more consistent, desirable beef animals.

Cauffman and Sterry also suggested that within-breed sire selection is important. “Limousin, Angus and Simmental all have homozygous black, polled bulls that can provide needed muscle shape and moderate frame size to add value to crossbred calves. Within-breed selection is highly important, regardless of the breed you choose,” they said.

Marketing also could be more strategic, as more than 70% of the survey respondents sold their beef-dairy cross calves at a week old or less, with more than half of those animals marketed through sale barns. The Wisconsin educators noted that some feedlots offer contracts or purchase programs for crossbred calves, if you use the genetics they select or provide, and follow specific health protocols. These arrangements can result in a win-win for both dairy and beef producers.

Finally, the authors advised against retaining dairy-beef crossbreds as female brood cows for beef production. While the prospect of higher milk production is attractive, they said some dairy traits can persist for generations and might negatively affect feeder calf quality.

“Black” is Not the Only Goal in Beef-on-dairy Breeding

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:00:34 GMT

If the dairy industry wants the beef business to embrace beef-on-dairy crossbreds long-term, we need to up our genetic selection game, according to Denise Schwab, Extension Beef Specialist for Iowa State University.

Schwab advised producers at Iowa State’s recent Midwest Dairy & Beef Day that beef-on-dairy breeding decisions need to be made with the same precision they devote to genetic selection for dairy replacement females. “It’s not likely you tell your semen rep, ‘Just give me Holstein semen that’s cheap,’” she stated. “Yet that’s what’s happening with a lot of beef-on-dairy breeding right now. We need to aim for more than just a black calf.”

Unfortunately, many of the dairy-beef crosses today are simply “black Holsteins,” with similar frame characteristics to full-blood dairy animals. “If you’re going to do that, you might as well just produce Holstein steers, because at least there is a specific market for them,” said Schwab. “The tall, black crossbreds don’t fit well into any production or marketing system.”

Many producers aim for black animals so they can qualify for Certified Angus Beef (CAB) premiums. But Schwab noted CAB quality standards specify details that a “black Holstein” animal probably won’t achieve, like 1,050-pound-or-less hot carcass weight, and superior muscling.

And while she is sympathetic to today’s economic conditions that can generate around $100 per head for “any” black calf versus about $30 for a Holstein, she is wary of long-term consequences. “If we flood the market with undesirable animals, that premium will be short-lived,” she stated. “I want to protect that value so we can continue capturing more dollars 3, 5 and 10 years down the road.”

To do so, she suggested focusing on the following characteristics when selecting beef sires to cross with Holsteins:

Breed – The natural inclination may be to reach for Angus semen to produce black calves. But the Angus breed has the largest beef registry in the country, which means it also has the greatest variability. Surprisingly, Angus also now has the highest hot carcass weight of the major beef breeds, which means a Holstein X Angus cross may very well be duplicating frame size. “Think specifically of the bull, not just the breed,” advised Schwab.
Frame size – To develop more compact animals that feed and finish more efficiently, Schwab suggested choosing moderately sized bulls, with frame scores of 5 or under.
Ribeye area – Holsteins tend to marble very well and can have excellent quality grades, but also have elongated, less-desirably-shaped ribeyes. “Select beef sires with ribeye EPDs in the top 25 percentile of the breed,because there is a high correlation between ribeye size and shape,” advised Schwab.
Muscling – Holsteins have a lower muscle-to-bone ratio, so choose bulls with higher muscle scores to enhance the beef composition characteristics – in terms of muscle size and shape -- of the offspring.
Calving ease – While selecting for moderately sized calves is a common decision, Schwab said it actually is less of a concern in beef-on-dairy breeding. “Most Holstein cows easily can lie down and have a 100-pound calf,” she stated. “You don’t need to choose from the top 10% of calving ease beef sires. The top 30-50% is a very reasonable range.”

Finally, Schwab noted beef sires should be one strategic element of a herd’s total genetic plan, and not just “cow fresheners” for repeat-service dams. “The fertility of beef sires is no better than dairy bulls, so beef breeding should not be viewed as a ‘service of last resort,’” advised Schwab.

Rather, she said carefully selected beef sires should be mated with dams based on pre-established criteria, such as genomic testing results, parity or genetic merit – with the overall quality and yield of a finished market animal in mind.

Beef-on-Dairy Boosts Livestock Sustainability

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 18:57:20 GMT

Cargill is collaborating with beef industry partners seeking environmental benefits to dairy-beef crossbreeding, a practice known in the industry as ‘beef-on-dairy.’ The Dairy Beef Accelerator is a three-year program to advance research and support beef and dairy producers in better understanding the opportunities of beef-on-dairy.

The producer-led practice has the potential to help the North American beef and dairy industries advance efficiencies of the supply chain and address climate change, while continuing to provide consumers with high-quality protein.

The sustainability impact of beef on dairy is promising, according to research conducted by Texas Tech University, and also provides benefits to both beef and dairy producers. Initial research, for instance, indicates:

Compared to purebred dairy calves, ‘beef on dairy’ calves can provide higher-quality beef products without impacting current milk production efficiencies.
‘Beef-on-dairy’ calves show greater feed efficiency (compared to purebred dairy calves), which lowers the environmental footprint associated with their production.
Increased feed efficiency significantly reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The practice benefits meat quality. ‘Beef-on-dairy’ delivers increased volumes of higher-grading beef carcasses, providing feedyard operators more access to value-based marketing opportunities as well as pass-back — beef-on-dairy calves are more valuable in the marketplace for dairies than purebred dairy calves

“Producers are at the forefront of leading the industry as whole, advancing both the efficiency and resilience of the food system. The beef and dairy industries have the opportunity to work together to produce even more efficient beef animals. Crossbreeding dairy cows to complementary beef sires can advance sustainability by reducing the environmental impact and improving profitability,” says Dale Woerner, Ph.D., Texas Tech University.

Over the coming years, the Dairy Beef Accelerator will provide resources to help interested beef and dairy producers begin their journey to ‘beef-on-dairy,’ as well as create opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and sharing of experiences with the practice.

The initiative ladders up to Cargill’s BeefUp Sustainability initiative, a commitment to achieve 30% greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity reduction across our North American beef supply chain by 2030.

The 5 Steps for A.I. Success

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 21:11:33 GMT

There’s no bull about it, artificial insemination (A.I.) has come a long way since its first use in dairy cattle during the late 1930s. While the technology has vastly changed, the basic principles still remain. Karen Johnson, an Extension educator at the University of Minnesota, provides these five steps for A.I. breeding success:

1. Proper Semen Handling – Depending on the sire, semen costs can add up quickly. Therefore, it’s crucial to make sure you handle the semen properly. Johnson recommends using tweezers to handle the semen straw as your fingers could potentially lead to the semen thawing too quickly. Additionally, if you are breeding multiple animals, she suggests only handling the number of straws that you can successfully use within 15 minutes of thawing.

Once the straw is removed from the tank, shake it to eliminate any liquid nitrogen at the end of the cotton plug. The semen should then be thawed at 95°F for 45 seconds. If this temperature is not accurate, the improper thawing could affect the quality and viability of the semen, according to Johnson.

2. Loading the Breeding Gun – Once the semen has been thawed, it’s time to load the breeding gun. Johnson suggests warming the gun by stroking it vigorously with your hand five or six times. Next, pull the plunger back about 6 inches and place the straw inside with the cotton plug first. From there, cut the sealed end of the straw at a 90° angle to ensure that the plastic sheath seals tightly to prevent back flow and then place the breeding gun between your body and shirt to maintain the optimal temperature.

3. Breeding the Cow – “It is recommended to use your left hand in the rectum and right hand to guide the insemination gun regardless of your dominant hand,” Johnson says. “Use a new breeding glove for every insemination and lubricate the glove with mineral oil or a commercial A.I. lubricant.”

Forming a cone like shape with your fingers, gently enter the rectum and palpate to remove excess manure. Next, clean the vulva to prevent contamination and slowly insert the gun. Johnson recommends inserting upwards at a 30° angle to prevent the gun from accidently entering the bladder.

“When the gun is 6 inches to 8 inches inside the vagina, raise the rear of the gun to level position and slide forward until it contacts the beginning of the cervix,” Johnson says. “If the gun is getting caught in the folds of the cervix, try stretching the cervix away from you with your left hand to free the gun and allow easier passage to the cervix.”

Once the cervix has been located, manipulate it slightly to detect the cervical rings. Work your way through the rings, but never use force. The gun should slide freely with little resistance once the rings have been cleared.

4. Depositing – After entering the cervix, it’s time to deposit the semen.

“Ideally, semen should be deposited just beyond the cervix into the uterine body,” Johnson says. “Depositing the semen in the uterine body allows the semen to evenly distribute between both horns.”

Using the plunger, slowly deposit the semen. This should take roughly five seconds according to Johnson. Make sure your palpating hand is not blocking the flow of semen and do not pull back on the cervix. Once finished, gently remove the gun. Johnson suggests checking for any abnormal discharge and noting it in your breeding records.

5. Clean Up – Last, but not least, it’s time to clean your equipment. Before taking off your breeding glove, remove the used sheath. Then dispose of your used glove and clean equipment thoroughly. Lastly, recheck to make sure the desired bull was used and note all information in your breeding records.