Ramping up dairy genetic gain and beefing up your calf crop

As we look to refine the breeding of the dairy herds of the future, replacements should come from the best genetics and best performing cows in the herd. Today's dairy breeding article focuses on using both dairy and beef AI, from the start of the breeding season.

Using this approach will hasten the increase in genetic gain of the dairy replacements while the use of high genetic merit beef AI from the start of the breeding season on the remainder of the herd will produce calves of higher value and greater saleability early next spring. These higher genetic merit beef stock will have greater potential to achieve higher prices at slaughter through better genetics for carcass weight and conformation which will be an advantage for beef producers buying these animals compared to those of lower genetic merit.

In the video Siobhan Ring of ICBF speaks about using both dairy and beef AI from the start of the breeding season can result in a more profitable system as higher genetic merit dairy heifer calves will be born which will perform at a higher level into the future and through better beef characteristics which will result in a better beef animal for sale either as a calf or subsequently depending on the farming system. 

We also hear from Hugh Egan, dairy farmer in Co. Offaly who has specific criteria for identifying the cows that he wants to breed a replacement from and uses beef from day one of his breeding season on the remainder of the herd.

Keep an eye on Teagasc Daily over the next couple of weeks for more information on Breeding.

The Teagasc Dairy Specialists issue an article on a topic of interest to dairy farmers every Monday here on Teagasc Daily. Find out more about Breeding & Genetics here