Some dairy producers who are breeding for beef crossbreds are only looking at two things: the price of semen and getting an animal that is as black as possible.

While a great many dairy producers are breeding their lower-end cows to beef bulls, that might not be your best option, according to Dr. Dan Schaefer, professor and former chair of animal sciences at the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. He has been researching Holstein steers since 1982.

It’s been nearly 75 years since the introduction of frozen semen for artificial insemination (A.I.) and 10 years since genomic selection. During those years, the U.S. has catapulted itself to the position of world leader in bovine genetics, which is a comfortable position to be in.

A 10-year study from the University of Minnesota indicates cows from a specific crossbreeding rotation generated as much as 13% more daily profit than their purebred Holstein herdmates.

During the 2019 Vita Plus Dairy Summit, Vita Plus Dairy Specialist Randall Greenfield teamed up with his counterpart on the beef side, Chad Howlett, to tackle the topic of using beef semen to manage dairy heifer herd inventory, and the opportunities and challenges that come along with the resulting crossbred calves.

Interest in crossbreeding is at an all-time high among commercial dairy producers internationally. Generally speaking, however, circumstances have changed regarding the historical superiority of pure Holsteins compared to crossbreds for profitability.

Is it economically viable to divert resources to raising out bull calves on your farm? Does the dairy steer enterprise offer an additional source of cash flow to supplement your operation’s financial situation? Having timely and accurate records and feed closeout information can help dairy producers answer those questions and make informed decisions.

The crossbred beef market doesn’t yet have a clear identity in the Northeast. Producers – both beef and dairy – who are early adapters are seeing some success in the markets, and the potential to develop a thriving crossbred beef industry in the region is high.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) on commercial dairies has steadily increased over the past few years. While the technology was originally limited to seedstock herds due to the higher cost per pregnancy, recent advances have made it more affordable.