BOISE, Idaho — Dairy herd reproductive dynamics are dramatically different from those even a few years ago. With the growing use of sexed semen and genomic testing for genetic assessment, dairy farmers can produce more high-quality replacement dairy heifers than ever before.
“This means dairies can be highly selective about the animals they choose to remain in the herd,” says Brady Hicks, Simplot Animal Science manager. “They can drive genetic progress much faster, better manage heifer inventories and take advantage of new revenue streams for the dairy.”
A growing number of dairies have responded to this opportunity by shifting their reproductive strategy and incorporating beef seem into breeding protocols. Their aim is to generate a secondary revenue source with the resulting crossbred calves.
However, dairy-beef cross calves’ inconsistent growth, performance, and final size mean these animals face strong marketing headwinds from feedlots and packers, lowering the potential return on dairy producers’ investment.
A better way
Performance data for cattle from high-quality beef embryos as part of a targeted breeding program show dairy herds can continue to push herd and financial improvements.
Each embryo mating is to a proven, elite Angus sire to maximize the resulting embryo’s genetic potential and value for key traits such as calving ease and ribeye area – traits prized by feedlots and packers.
These embryos feature conception and pregnancy rates similar, and in some cases superior, to artificial insemination in a dairy herd. (Insert table 1 included in Bitly link.)
“The key to success is to choose recipients with your dairy’s big picture in mind,” suggests Hicks. “Use beef embryos with younger cows – those in their second and third lactations. And implant embryos for first and second services to reap the optimal return on investment.”
Adding value
Historically, embryo technologies have been a part of dairy and beef production to produce superior genetics. Simplot’s partnership with Select Sires allows production of high-quality beef embryos to be scalable to fit the needs of any dairy farm.
The full beef embryos’ genetic advantages to dairies, feeders, processors, and consumers provide the most value. Beef producers and feedlots are more likely to purchase full beef calves from dairy farms. And offer higher premiums due to efficient gain and group uniformity.
Traceability, along with early health and nutrition, is another important distinction for these calves and is valued and rewarded by the beef marketing chain.
“Performance data show SimVitro® HerdFlex® cattle from IVF embryos meet the needs of the entire supply chain,” says Hicks. “Plus, these full beef embryos improve conception, yield grades and achieve excellent growth increasing overall financial performance.”
Preliminary data indicate the use of superior beef sires to create HerdFlex embryos generates excellent growth and harvest results.1 In other words, these calves perform well in the beef value chain. For example:
- HerdFlex calves often exhibit average daily gains of about 4 pounds
- Genomic testing reveals the calves are in the top 25% of the Angus breed for performance traits.
Harvest information shows:1
- 22% graded USDA Prime
- 77% graded USDA Choice
Work within your system
Embryo transfer is an exacting procedure, meaning proper technician training is essential. Allowances must be made in breeding programs to ensure and maintain technician proficiency.
Additionally, it can be a more time-consuming process than insemination – successful programs have incorporated embryo transfer as part of their overall dairy management system to help avoid disruption to cow and people routines.
But these efforts can come with a significant financial reward for dairies willing to invest in embryos and develop marketing strategies and partnerships.
“Dairies may receive a $350-400 premium for HerdFlex calves vs. straight-bred dairy calves,” says Hicks. “These rewards result from deliberate marketing plans and developing trusted relationships within the marketing chain.”
To learn more about incorporating beef embryos into your dairy’s breeding program, visit HerdFlex.com.
The J.R. Simplot Company, a privately held agribusiness firm headquartered in Boise, Idaho, has an integrated portfolio that includes phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, food processing, food brands, and other enterprises related to agriculture. Simplot’s major operations are located in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, South America and China, with products marketed in more than 60 countries worldwide. For more information, visit simplot.com.
[1] Simplot Animal Sciences data on file.
–J.R. Simplot Company