A University of Wisconsin–Madison team conducted surveys in 2019 and 2023, examining how dairy farms integrate beef x dairy crossbreeding to improve market efficiency. The surveys revealed that conception rate, calving ease, and semen cost were the top criteria for selecting beef sires in dairy operations. However, attributes impacting beef product quality, like marbling and ribeye area, received less attention, with few farms prioritizing these for sire selection.
Beef x dairy crossbred cattle face challenges compared to native beef breeds, primarily due to their lower muscle yield and higher feed costs. Dairy breeds like Holstein have lower muscle-to-bone ratios than native beef breeds, requiring an additional 54 to 140 days of feeding to achieve market-ready fat levels. Studies indicate Holstein-influenced cattle accrue higher costs due to lower average daily gain and larger frame size, impacting economic efficiency.
In a crossbreeding setup, beef sires should ideally bring traits that counterbalance dairy genetics. Selection for growth rate, muscling, and terminal traits, alongside calving ease, can improve both beef yield and farm profitability. Additionally, crossbred calves can bring higher market value, with beef x dairy bull calves, on average, selling for $132 more than Holstein bull calves in 2024.
While some dairy producers believe beef semen offers higher conception rates for difficult-to-breed cows, scientific data shows minimal difference between beef and dairy semen conception rates. Moreover, beef semen costs tend to be higher than dairy, suggesting the need to weigh the investment against expected returns, especially since calf market value varies by sire quality.
In crossbreeding programs, focusing solely on conception, calving ease, and cost may not guarantee the desired improvements. Farms benefit most when prioritizing sires that enhance terminal traits, increasing crossbred performance to align with market expectations and yield economic gains.
