Interest has grown in utilizing beef sires on dairy females. Beef x dairy cross calves may provide an opportunity to increase revenue from calf sales, and improve feedlot performance, and carcass characteristics. Conversely, crossbred calves may introduce more variability in performance and carcass characteristics compared to their purebred dairy counterparts.
In the fall/winter of 2018 dairy farms in Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin were surveyed to assess how they utilize beef sires on dairy females, their beef sire selection criteria, and dairy female selection criteria to breed to beef sires vs. dairy sires. Sixty-nine dairy farms responded; 47 in Wisconsin, 15 in Michigan, and seven in Iowa. Efforts were made to survey a broad range of herd sizes. In addition, A.I. industry professionals were asked the same set of sire selection questions for the herds they work with.
Dairy farm use, and criteria for use, of beef genetics on dairy females was published in the spring of 2019 and provides the results and summary discussion of the survey.
Considerations for Breeding Dairy Cattle to Beef Breeds for Meat Production
Beef genetics on dairy females and examining the care of newborn calves: Results from a 2021 survey
Resources for Handling Down Cattle
DeterminaciĆ³n del estado de preƱez bovino