Crossbreds

The economics of breeding for more dairy replacements: Striking the right balance

vcabrera@wisc.edu — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

This article outlines the economic outcomes of alternative breeding strategies that combine sexed, beef and conventional semen. Using both short-term decision support tools and long-term simulation models, we explored how reproductive performance and semen use strategies interact to shape profitability on dairy farms.

The F1 conversation: Why or why not?

adrianne.trennepohl@genusplc.com — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In recent years, dairy crossbreeding has been a topic of conversation because it presents the opportunity to create a cow in one generation that is more efficient, makes fewer trips to the hospital pen and possesses better fertility. While the benefits of dairy crossbreeding can positively impact your herd, it does take the management of a focused genetic plan to incorporate.

The effect of clinical mastitis in the milking behavior of Holsteins, Jerseys and their crosses

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Our research group conducted a study at a large organic multibreed dairy equipped with an automated milking system. The goal was to describe and compare the milking behavior of cows from different breeds during the week before and after the diagnosis of clinical mastitis.

Four tips to help unlock the potential of beef-on-dairy

djdominguez@immucell.com — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Using beef semen to cross with Holsteins, Jerseys and other dairy breeds has helped change the value of each calf. Dairy producers are looking for ways to maximize this strategy and reap the financial benefits. Here are four tips to help unlock the potential of beef-on-dairy calves and secure maximum results.

An analytical approach: Three trends in the A.I. industry

seaglen@naab-css.org — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The cattle semen industry is undergoing significant changes, driven by the intersection of technology, market demands and innovative reproductive practices. Statistics from the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) highlight ongoing and emerging trends.

Creating an infinite operation: High Plains Ponderosa Dairy

matti@agproud.com — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

When asked for his take on a sustainable dairy, Greg Bethard uses one word to describe his mentality regarding the future of his operation: infinite. The CEO and managing partner of a dairy in Kansas makes many decisions with an "infinite" perspective in mind.

Beefing up dairy profits

alvaro@dellait.com — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Crossbreeding to beef sires is a powerful management tool at the dairy farmer's disposal using superior sexed dairy semen for heifers and beef semen for cows. This combination can significantly impact a herd's genetics and overall net return.

Evaluate beef embryo profit potential

jeremy.howard@simplot.com — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Farmers can capitalize on several potential benefits by strategically integrating beef embryos into dairy herds through IVF, with increased revenue at the core.

Marketing feeder cattle on the grid

mandy@thecattlesource.com — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

If you still view your beef-on-dairy crossbred calves as a byproduct, you are probably still getting paid byproduct prices. Embrace your beef crossbreeding program as a revenue stream, and look for strategies to capture the most value per head.

How to prevent and manage liver abscesses in beef-on-dairy cattle

chris_zellmer@diamondv.com — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

By prioritizing the optimal nutrition of beef cross cattle throughout their journey from calving to consumption, the detrimental impact of liver abscesses can be reduced.

Beef-on-dairy nutrition in the nursery

sara_sievert@diamondv.com — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In the realm of beef-on-dairy calves, the presence of beef genetics imparts inherent advantages, promising greater consistency and robust muscling when compared to their all-dairy breed counterparts.

Coat color: Does it really matter?

adrianne.trennepohl@genusplc.com — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 08:09:09 -0400

It is not the color of the animal’s hide that makes it valuable but the genetics under the hide that matter.

[Podcast] Raising high-quality dairy-beef crossbred calves

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Raising dairy-beef crossbred calves is a value-added production strategy that is here to stay, and dairy producers have a tremendous opportunity to influence the success of their crossbred program through early-life nutrition.

Maximizing the beef-on-dairy paycheque

dmiller@immucell.com — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Beef-on-dairy calves are an investment. These calves should be treated just as well as a heifer calf that will be raised for the dairy. A poor-quality, unhealthy calf not only hurts your bottom line, it also jeopardizes your reputation as a quality calf supplier.

Setting the stage for long-term growth and performance for dairy-beef cross calves

ongentherschroeder@landolakes.com — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

With the opportunity to capitalize on record-low native beef herd numbers and the growing demand for high-quality beef, dairy-beef crossbred cattle producers can benefit from taking a second look at their early life calf nutrition program.

A traceable story to tell with beef-on-dairy calves

adrianne.trennepohl@genusplc.com — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 13:47:48 -0400

Utilizing beef sires on high-producing but lower genetic-quality females has been a game changer for the industry, as you know.

5 ways to optimize ROI from beef-on-dairy calves

christopher.schneider@merck.com — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:10:43 -0500

Using beef sires to breed a portion of dairy females provides an opportunity to increase revenue from calf sales. As more dairy producers explore beef-on-dairy crossbreeding programs to maximize the value of every calf, the industry is learning some key insights along the way.

Myth busting: Feeding dairy-beef crossbred calves

ongentherschroeder@landolakes.com — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 11:41:01 -0400

Over the last few years, producing dairy-beef crossbred calves has not only been talked about more, but it has also become a common production practice for dairy producers across the country.

Beef-on-dairy research provides insight to carcass value and consumer acceptance

blake.foraker@wsu.edu — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 09:54:08 -0400

Research shows beef-on-dairy calves have improved eating quality, meat color stability and carcass yield when compared to traditional dairy animals.

Crossbreeding of Holstein cows improves fertility without detriment to milk production

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 21:16:19 -0400

Since 1960, Holstein dairy cows have exhibited a substantial decline in fertility, with serious economic consequences for farmers. Genetic selection programs in the U.S. and elsewhere have emphasized milk production at the expense of other traits. Attention has turned to improving these neglected traits for better overall well-being of cows and to ameliorate dairy producers’ profitability.

Mixed breed bulls maximizing efficiency and more

kegan@genex.coop — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 20:57:46 -0400

Many factors have major impacts on dairy farm profitability but are out of the control of individual farm owners. However, genetic progress is one thing that can be controlled, and progressive herd owners are adjusting their view of the herd they want to be milking in the coming years.

Changes come alongside December genetic evaluations

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 20:31:57 -0500

CDCB announces updates alongside the December genetic evaluations. These announcements relate to updated crossbred evaluations, as well as foreign fertility evaluations.

Three ways IVF technology helps dairies remain competitive

michael.bishop@vytelle.com — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 14:00:01 -0500

As dairies seek to mitigate financial risk, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is moving to the forefront as a tool to capitalize on the best genetics in their herds through timely pregnancies, shorter calving intervals and reduced days open.

New research in Canadian crossbreeding useful to U.S. producers

lrs@uoguelph.ca — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:39:28 -0400

Around the world and especially in North America, the purebred Holstein dairy cow is hard to beat for milk, fat and protein yields. The Holstein cow is also popular for commercial production of milk, particularly in fluid milk markets. The purebred Jersey cow has also earned a place in the sun in cheese-producing areas in Wisconsin, California and Texas.