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.

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.

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.

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.

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.