Crossbreeding dairy cows with beef genetics is a growing practice. Between being able to predict calf gender and various processors refusing to buy dairy cows for meat, dairy producers are using beef bulls as a way to add value to bull calves and generate additional income.
There is a misconception that all beef genetics are created equal in terms of usefulness in creating a dairy-beef crossbred calf.
Source: The Bullvine, November 5, 2019. Link. To use particular beef bulls in crossbreeding systems with dairy cows address these criteria:
- Acceptable conception rate
- Acceptable calving ease
- Add muscling and rib eye area (REA)
- For Holstein: moderate skeletal size
- For Jersey: Performance
- Maintain or add marbling
Also see: Search Results for: beef + dairy, Animal Health Digest. Link.