Strategies for implementing beef on dairy breeding programs

Dr. Fred Gingrich, AABP Executive Director, is joined by Dr. Scott Poock, a veterinarian from the University of Missouri to discuss “beef on dairy” breeding which involves incorporating beef sires into dairy herds. Historically, dairy producers would utilize beef sires to improve calving ease and the perception that conception rates were higher with beef semen which is a misconception. In the US, about 25% of beef produced is from dairy breed animals which includes cull cows and dairy steers. The current market situation is different and Dr. Poock discusses factors that have led to increased use of beef on dairy. This includes better reproduction and managing herds with a smaller heifer inventory, gaining more value from the beef-dairy cross calf, and utilizing sexed semen for targeted breeding. While some herds will utilize genomic testing to determine which animals to breed to sexed semen and beef semen, other herds use records analysis of production, reproduction and health to incorporate beef on dairy into their breeding program. We also discuss the genetic traits that feedyards desire in these beef on dairy crosses such as homozygous polled and black hided, calving ease, a bigger ribeye and a smaller carcass with higher dressing percentage than we typically see in dairy breeds. Dr. Poock recommends having conversations with your clients to make sure they have identifiable goals to assist them in developing beef on dairy strategies into their herds.  

To learn more about beef on dairy strategies, go to the following publication from the Journal of Dairy Science:
Invited Review: Beef-on-dairy – The generation of crossbred beef x dairy cattle