The idea of crossbreeding low genetic/productive dairy cows with beef semen has become a growing practice on dairies. The main reason for the growth is the increased value of the offspring when compared to the traditional dairy male calf.
While the beef calf value is a real benefit, there are even more advantages. The use of sexed semen on the top of the herd to create replacement heifers also increases the selection intensity and speeds up genetic progress. Moreover, proactively managing heifer inventory will avoid excess replacements and result in lower rearing expenses.
More cash for beef cross calves, better genetics for replacement females and cost optimization is ideal, but it can be at risk if not careful while selecting beef genetics.
The first step in this process is to ensure the beef genetics will perform well in getting the cows pregnant and then to demonstrate calving performance. Additionally, producing a healthy and efficient calf that will create value for the whole beef supply chain.
ABS has multiple ways to support dairy farmers setting up a beef on dairy plan, below are several resources to start the process.
Beef on Dairy, but not as you know it. ABS Beef InFocus™, powered by NuEra Genetics™, delivers proven and reliable beef genetics for the dairy producer to maximize calf crop value while driving beef supply chain efficiency. Contact your ABS Representative to learn more! Tailored Beef Genetics for Dairies Beef InFocus sires are specifically created […]
Sexcel® Sexed Genetics – Make your heifer replacement from your best cows. A unit of semen brings no real value to a dairy farmer unless it results in a cow pregnant with a female calf. A healthy heifer needs to be born and only then can genetic progress be seen. That’s where the value is […]
NuEra Genetics™ by ABS Global encompasses all proprietary ABS beef breeding programs, evaluations and indexes. Launched in July 2017, NuEra Genetics delivers differentiated and superior terminal genetics for beef supply chain profitability. NuEra Genetics symbolizes the next chapter in the history of ABS beef genetics – in short, a distinctive new era of ABS beef […]
Genetics keep improving. So should your mating program. Meet Genetic Management System® (GMS®) 2.0 – an innovative, completely redesigned mating program built with your unique opportunities in mind. Introduced in 2016, GMS 2.0 continues to offer sound, unbiased mating selections based on economically important production, health, and type traits. The result: longer-lasting, profitable cows. Its […]