According to CattleFax, the beef-on-dairy program is predicted to reach 4 million to 5 million head in the United States, accounting for around 15% of total cattle harvest by 2026. This program is becoming more important for farmers, vets, and the industry, as the sexed-and-beef type of production becomes the norm. Veterinarians play an important role in assisting dairy farmers with the transition to this program, which will be critical to their long-term success.
The sexed-and-beef approach focuses on lowering heifer inventories by utilizing sex semen on a producer’s top heifers and cows, while maximizing returns in the remaining cows by combining beef genetics to generate a high-quality beef-cross. Most dairy producers have farms that fall into one of two categories: maintaining their present herd size with a commensurate cull rate, or increasing their cow herds internally to optimum growth via planned mating.
Veterans may help farmers make choices about beef-on-dairy production by understanding how many heifers each dairy farm needs and emphasizing health and reproductive practices to prevent heifer and cow mortality. Partnering with a genetics business or other specialist may assist in determining and achieving the optimal number of heifers for each farm.
Reducing heifer non-completion is critical since the majority of losses are caused by health or reproductive issues, as well as mortality. Stillbirth risk, cull risk, reproductive failure risk, and culling risk in pregnant heifers are all factors that contribute to this proportion being low.
In conclusion, the beef-on-dairy initiative is becoming more important to dairy farmers, veterinarians, and the industry. By understanding the two situations and using the sexed-and-beef paradigm, veterinarians may assist dairy farmers in making educated choices about beef-on-dairy production.
The article examines the significance of genetics in dairy production, with an emphasis on employing top genetics for replacement breeding and optimizing genetic development and herd health. It highlights the need of identifying top animals in the herd to optimize genetic advancement in heifer production and drive profitability, removing unfavorable characteristics from the herd, and producing high-value beef calves. The average cost of raising a heifer today ranges between $2,000 and $4,000, making it more crucial than ever for farmers to focus on profitable matings.
Heifers are regarded the most elite genetic animals on dairy farms, and utilizing sexed semen in them results in a greater return on investment. Genomics testing may assist farmers in selecting the finest animals, whether heifers, first-lactation or second-lactation cows, to get sexed semen. However, this procedure may be difficult to manage, and a breeding plan can guide farm staff on what to do when withdrawing an animal for insemination.
Step #3: Select the best semen product to help farms meet their short- and long-term business objectives. To lower expenses and increase beef-x-dairy profits, use sex-sorted semen that maximizes genetic improvement, health, fertility, and heifer ratios. Producers should choose the top 40% or so of the herd’s heifers for sexing, with the other 60% receiving beef semen. Semen purity is an essential factor in choosing the number of heifer matings to conduct, and genomic testing may assist identify people who have inherited genes that cause abortions or poor health.
Step 4: Recognize and exploit the characteristics that provide value to the chosen beef sire. Increase the value of beef-x-dairy profit by selecting sires that prioritize fertility, pricing, growth, efficiency, and yield. Everyone in the production chain has their own opinion on what makes a good beef sire, and dairy farmers want their cows to conceive, therefore fertility is the most important attribute.
According to Hockett, outdated inventory is no longer an issue in beef-x-dairy, since research demonstrates that conception rates in Holstein dairy cows are identical whether Angus or Holstein sires are employed. To meet demand, genetics firms must maintain low stockpiles. Sidestep discounts for different breeds, such as Charolais, Limousin, and Wagyu, may assist producers in establishing the value of beef-on-dairy calves and maintaining it over time in the business.
