Division of Extension
The Extension Beef x Dairy Program seeks to produce research based information on sire selection and feedlot management practices for Beef x Dairy cross cattle. The program brings timely, up to date, information to both dairy producers and feedlot operators on this evolving topic.
AgSource (DHIA) data shows the number of inseminations of Holstein females to beef semen rapidly increased from 2% in 2016 to 23% in 2020. A 2019 Extension dairy producer survey found beef sire selection for use on dairy females focused on semen cost, conception rate, calving ease, and calf hair coat color.
There is an educational opportunity to improve beef sire selection practices to include feedlot and carcass traits such as: Ribeye EPD, Marbling EPD, and frame score. Increasing calf uniformity and performing good newborn calf care practices, and communicating them with potential buyers, may help dairy producers optimize the value of Beef x Dairy calves.
Applied field research projects plan to look at calf growth, feedlot and carcass performance, and market trends for Beef x Dairy cattle.
For decades, livestock producers have moved animals on and off the farm by way of sale, leasing, renting, and between other facilities or pastures owned by the farm. With these movements comes the risk of the introduction or spread of disease.
The frequency of hauling cattle varies from farm to farm. Some farms haul on a regular basis and others only a few times a year. In either situation, breaking down alongside the road — or even worse, in a traffic crash — while hauling cattle is not on anyone’s bucket list.
In the increasing discussions about how to address climate change there are conflicting claims about the need to address methane (CH4) emissions. Some people argue that methane emitted by cows is a primary cause of climate change. Others argue that methane from beef and dairy production is not of much concern because of its relatively short duration in the atmosphere.
Properly cleaning, sanitizing, and storing multi-dose syringes and transfer needles will reduce contamination from many viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The steps described here use only tap and distilled or deionzed (purified) water and do not render the equipment sterile.
It is important to determine pregnancy status so action toward the non- regnant cows can be taken.
Shopping for deals and managing inventory are two ways to lower livestock drug costs. Have you ever been confused by the different brands available? How do you know which is the better buy?
A beef x dairy genetics survey was conducted in 2018, which led to additional research in 2021 when Extension Educators and specialists surveyed 40 Wisconsin dairy farms utilizing beef x dairy genetics. In addition to sire selection, the 2021 survey included newborn calf care and milk-feeding practices.
A beef x dairy genetics survey was conducted in 2018, which led to additional research in 2021 when extension educators and specialists surveyed 40 Wisconsin dairy farms utilizing beef x dairy genetics. In addition to sire selection, the 2021 survey included newborn calf care and milk-feeding practices. This article highlights some of the calf management results, with greater detail available in the corresponding white paper.
The use of beef sires on dairy females has continued to be a common and growing management practice on dairy farms. During the summer of 2021, UW-Madison Division of Extension educators surveyed 40 dairy farms known to be using beef sires to breed dairy females to assess their beef x dairy sire selection criteria, selection of dairy females to breed to beef sires, newborn calf management, milk feeding practices, and how they market their beef x dairy cattle.
Producing beef x dairy cross calves has the potential to increase market value of these calves compared to straight bred dairy bull calves. However, as the supply of beef x dairy cross calves increases, it’s reasonable to assume buyers will become more discerning. Dairy producers can stack the odds in their favor with thoughtful beef […]
