Evaluation of the use of beef semen on dairy operations: A survey of Idaho dairies

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to survey current Idaho dairies on their use of beef semen and gain insights into the criteria and decisions made on farm.

Materials and Methods

A mail-in survey was sent to all registered Idaho dairies (n = 369). The survey consisted of 40 questions consisting of multiple choice, ranking, and open answer styles. The survey was mailed on August 8, 2022, with a reminder postcard sent on October 8, 2022, to dairies that had not returned the initial survey. The survey was mailed a second time on November 5, 2022, to all the dairies that had not responded to the initial survey. Responses were categorized by dairy herd size and region within Idaho.

Results and Discussion

We had a total response rate of 14.1%; of the dairies that responded, 78.8% breed a portion of their herd to beef semen. The use of beef semen was significantly affected by dairy herds size. “Failure to conceive” was ranked most important when deciding which cows were bred to beef, followed by “milk production.” Black Angus was the most chosen breed of a sire, followed by Charolais. Dairies ranked the “breeding service picks the bulls” as most important when selecting beef sires, followed by “calving ease” and “semen cost.” Only 26.8% of dairies raise their own beef × dairy calves, and 69.4% sell the beef × dairy calves as day-old calves. The economic benefit of breeding to beef was evident, with the average price for beef × Holstein, beef × Jersey, and beef × Holstein × Jersey being 3.14×, 1.36×, and 4× that for pure dairy, respectively.

Implications and Applications

These results add knowledge regarding the on-farm decision when breeding dairy cattle to beef sires. This will help guide future research in beef × dairy animals by keeping on-farm decisions in mind.