WEBVTT 00:00:10.489 --> 00:00:14.750 Hello, everyone, and welcome to the 201st episode 00:00:14.750 --> 00:00:18.629 of the Bull Bullvine podcast. I'm Bella, and 00:00:18.629 --> 00:00:21.089 today we're diving into a topic that's absolutely 00:00:21.089 --> 00:00:24.190 transforming dairy farm economics across North 00:00:24.190 --> 00:00:27.359 America. If you've been treating those bull calves 00:00:27.359 --> 00:00:30.199 as an unfortunate byproduct rather than a profit 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:33.000 center, well, this episode might just change 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:35.840 everything for your operation. And I'm Douglas, 00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:38.820 joining Bella today to break down the beef on 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:41.359 dairy revolution that's sweeping through the 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:44.659 industry. We're going to explain exactly how 00:00:44.659 --> 00:00:47.219 crossbreeding strategies are delivering substantial 00:00:47.219 --> 00:00:49.859 returns on investment for progressive dairies 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:53.100 and how you can implement these strategies on 00:00:53.100 --> 00:00:56.950 your farm. Today's episode isn't just theoretical. 00:00:57.409 --> 00:01:00.469 We're talking practical implementation that could 00:01:00.469 --> 00:01:03.670 significantly impact your bottom line in 2025. 00:01:04.409 --> 00:01:07.469 Douglas, I've been seeing more and more Holstein 00:01:07.469 --> 00:01:10.709 beef crosses at farms I visit. It seems like 00:01:10.709 --> 00:01:12.870 this trend has really accelerated in the last 00:01:12.870 --> 00:01:17.650 few years, hasn't it? Absolutely, Bella. According 00:01:17.650 --> 00:01:22.359 to a 2024 Purina survey, 72 % of dairy producers 00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:25.319 are now strategically breeding to beef sires. 00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:28.879 That's not just a trend. That's becoming standard 00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:31.959 practice. And with U .S. cattle inventory sitting 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:34.959 at a 73 -year low and beef prices maintaining 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:37.939 historic strength, the timing couldn't be better 00:01:37.939 --> 00:01:40.480 for dairy producers to capitalize on this opportunity. 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:43.599 Well, I can't wait to dig into all the details. 00:01:43.840 --> 00:01:47.200 Let's get started. So Douglas, let's start with 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:50.590 the basics. Why has the dairy industry traditionally 00:01:50.590 --> 00:01:54.069 viewed bull calves as, well, kind of a nuisance 00:01:54.069 --> 00:01:56.989 rather than an opportunity? You know, Bella, 00:01:57.129 --> 00:02:00.489 it's really been a historical mindset. For generations, 00:02:00.650 --> 00:02:03.049 dairy farmers have focused exclusively on milk 00:02:03.049 --> 00:02:05.930 production. Bull calves were simply a biological 00:02:05.930 --> 00:02:08.810 necessity to get cows pregnant and lactating. 00:02:09.150 --> 00:02:11.969 The collective sigh when another bull calf hits 00:02:11.969 --> 00:02:14.490 the ground has been practically an industry ritual. 00:02:16.110 --> 00:02:18.590 I've definitely heard that sigh on plenty of 00:02:18.590 --> 00:02:22.210 farms. And I understand the frustration. You're 00:02:22.210 --> 00:02:24.949 running a dairy operation, not a beef farm. So 00:02:24.949 --> 00:02:27.490 those bull calves just represented extra work 00:02:27.490 --> 00:02:33.150 without much payoff. Exactly. But the dairy landscape 00:02:33.150 --> 00:02:36.409 has fundamentally changed. With U .S. cattle 00:02:36.409 --> 00:02:39.389 inventory at its lowest level in 73 years according 00:02:39.389 --> 00:02:42.020 to the latest industry data, the market dynamics 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:44.639 couldn't be more favorable for strategic beef 00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:48.539 on dairy programs. What kind of premiums are 00:02:48.539 --> 00:02:51.199 we actually seeing for these crossbred calves 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:54.680 compared to straight dairy bull calves? According 00:02:54.680 --> 00:02:59.020 to that 2024 Purina survey I mentioned, 80 % 00:02:59.020 --> 00:03:01.879 of dairy farmers receive significant premiums 00:03:01.879 --> 00:03:04.800 for their beef on dairy calves, with some reporting 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:09.099 additional revenues of $350 to $700 per head. 00:03:09.819 --> 00:03:13.259 compared to straight dairy calves. That's a substantial 00:03:13.259 --> 00:03:15.979 difference that can transform what was once a 00:03:15.979 --> 00:03:18.939 break -even byproduct into a genuine profit center. 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:23.020 That's a substantial difference. But I imagine 00:03:23.020 --> 00:03:25.400 there's more to the story than just selling calves 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:29.900 for higher prices? Absolutely. Those initial 00:03:29.900 --> 00:03:32.199 premiums are just scratching the surface of what's 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:35.500 possible with a data -driven approach. The difference 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:38.340 between a mediocre and exceptional beef on dairy 00:03:38.340 --> 00:03:41.340 program often comes down to precision in both 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:45.960 planning and execution. So Douglas, when farmers 00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:48.340 are calculating the return on investment for 00:03:48.340 --> 00:03:51.199 these beef on dairy programs, what are they typically 00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:56.259 looking at? That's a great question, Bella. The 00:03:56.259 --> 00:03:58.460 standard approach most farmers take is simply 00:03:58.460 --> 00:04:00.939 multiplying the number of crossbred calves by 00:04:00.939 --> 00:04:03.560 the price premium they expect to receive. But 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:05.819 that drastically undervalues the true financial 00:04:05.819 --> 00:04:08.879 impact. This simplistic math ignores multiple 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:11.620 profit centers and operational efficiencies that 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:14.900 compound over time. That makes sense. What other 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:17.079 factors should dairy producers be considering 00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:21.540 in their calculations? A comprehensive ROI calculator 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:24.519 must capture three interdependent financial impact 00:04:24.519 --> 00:04:28.060 categories, additional revenue, operational savings, 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:30.980 and opportunity gains. Each category represents 00:04:30.980 --> 00:04:33.379 a distinct profit center with measurable returns 00:04:33.379 --> 00:04:35.970 that compound across your operation. Let's break 00:04:35.970 --> 00:04:39.990 those down one by one. What specific revenue 00:04:39.990 --> 00:04:42.350 gains are we talking about beyond just the calf 00:04:42.350 --> 00:04:45.350 premium? Well, the direct calf premium is certainly 00:04:45.350 --> 00:04:48.529 significant. For a 1 ,000 -cow dairy with 30 00:04:48.529 --> 00:04:51.689 % of the herd bred to beef bulls and a conservative 00:04:51.689 --> 00:04:55.870 $300 per calf premium, that generates $90 ,000 00:04:55.870 --> 00:04:59.490 in additional annual revenue. But if you retain 00:04:59.490 --> 00:05:02.149 ownership through finishing, you can capture 00:05:02.149 --> 00:05:05.550 even more value. Research from the Journal of 00:05:05.550 --> 00:05:08.089 Animal Science shows that crossbreds consistently 00:05:08.089 --> 00:05:11.550 achieve higher grading rates, which adds substantial 00:05:11.550 --> 00:05:14.230 value per head. And what about the operational 00:05:14.230 --> 00:05:17.970 savings? I know reproduction is a key cost center 00:05:17.970 --> 00:05:22.250 on dairies. You're absolutely right. Research 00:05:22.250 --> 00:05:24.829 published in the Journal of Dairy Science consistently 00:05:24.829 --> 00:05:28.149 shows improved conception rates when using beef 00:05:28.149 --> 00:05:31.439 semen on specific cow segments. particularly 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:34.319 those struggling with heat stress or aging reproductive 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:37.959 tracts. Even a modest improvement in conception 00:05:37.959 --> 00:05:40.480 rate can translate to significant savings in 00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:44.759 breeding costs and labor. Sang, I hadn't considered 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:47.500 the conception rate difference. What about calf 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:49.759 health? Do these crossbreds perform differently? 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:54.139 They do indeed. Research indicates that crossbred 00:05:54.139 --> 00:05:57.319 beef dairy calves often display hardier constitutions 00:05:57.319 --> 00:06:00.220 than purebreds. With treatment costs for calf 00:06:00.220 --> 00:06:02.480 health issues representing a significant expense 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:05.980 on most operations, even a modest reduction in 00:06:05.980 --> 00:06:08.220 morbidity rates can add substantially to your 00:06:08.220 --> 00:06:11.360 bottom line. And you mentioned opportunity gains 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:14.439 as the third category. What does that encompass? 00:06:14.899 --> 00:06:17.639 This is where traditional ROI calculations really 00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:21.100 fall short. By strategically breeding a portion 00:06:21.100 --> 00:06:23.920 of your herd to beef sires, you redirect resources 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:26.399 from heifer raising to more profitable enterprises. 00:06:27.800 --> 00:06:30.600 With the cost to raise a heifer to calving exceeding 00:06:30.600 --> 00:06:33.800 $2 ,000, according to research from Cornell University, 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:37.279 breeding fewer replacement heifers liberates 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:40.000 significant capital that can be deployed elsewhere 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:43.860 in your operation. Wow. So we're really talking 00:06:43.860 --> 00:06:46.660 about a multidimensional financial impact that 00:06:46.660 --> 00:06:48.899 goes far beyond just getting better prices for 00:06:48.899 --> 00:06:53.160 calves. Douglas, you mentioned that U .S. cattle 00:06:53.160 --> 00:06:57.180 inventory is at a 73 -year low. Can you tell 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:59.459 us more about the market conditions that are 00:06:59.459 --> 00:07:02.339 making this such an opportune time for beef on 00:07:02.339 --> 00:07:04.740 dairy crossbreeding? The current market dynamics 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:08.000 couldn't be more favorable, Bella. With the lowest 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:10.819 cattle inventory in decades and strong demand 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:13.740 for quality beef, we're seeing a perfect environment 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:16.540 for premium pricing on well -conformed beef animals. 00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:20.720 How quickly has the adoption of beef on dairy 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:24.259 crossbreeding grown in recent years? The growth 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:26.899 has been exponential. Let me share some verified 00:07:26.899 --> 00:07:30.279 statistics from industry sources. In 2014, there 00:07:30.279 --> 00:07:33.319 were approximately 50 ,000 beef on dairy crossbred 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:36.120 calves produced. According to CattleFax estimates, 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:39.720 that number is projected to hit 3 .22 million 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:43.220 in 2024. That's more than a 60 -fold increase 00:07:43.220 --> 00:07:47.279 in just a decade. That's incredible growth. What 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:50.199 about beef semen sales? The numbers tell the 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:53.519 story there too. According to the National Association 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:56.939 of Animal Breeders, Domestic beef semen sales 00:07:56.939 --> 00:07:59.959 have increased from 1 .2 million units in 2010 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:05.060 to 9 .4 million units in 2023. And here's what's 00:08:05.060 --> 00:08:08.540 really telling. Of those 9 .4 million units, 00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:12.980 7 .9 million were used in dairy cattle. That's 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:16.600 84 % of all beef semen sales going to dairy operations 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:20.399 rather than beef herds. Is this trend limited 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:23.379 to North America, or are we seeing it globally 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:26.410 as well? This is absolutely a global phenomenon. 00:08:26.850 --> 00:08:30.170 European dairy sectors are experiencing a similar 00:08:30.170 --> 00:08:33.149 transformation. According to an analysis of auction 00:08:33.149 --> 00:08:35.830 records in Italy reported in the Journal of Dairy 00:08:35.830 --> 00:08:39.490 Science, beef dairy calves were valued 50 -200 00:08:39.490 --> 00:08:42.889 % more per kilogram than purebred Holstein or 00:08:42.889 --> 00:08:46.750 Brown Swiss calves. Meanwhile, New Zealand and 00:08:46.750 --> 00:08:49.789 Australian dairies have developed advanced genomic 00:08:49.789 --> 00:08:52.659 selection systems that integrate beef breeding 00:08:52.659 --> 00:08:55.320 decisions with overall herd improvement strategies. 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:59.600 So we're really seeing a fundamental shift in 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:02.320 how dairy operations manage their breeding programs 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:07.320 worldwide. Absolutely. And the economic benefits 00:09:07.320 --> 00:09:10.200 extend far beyond simple calf sale premiums. 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:13.879 Research consistently demonstrates that crossbred 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:16.100 beef dairy cattle achieve better growth rates 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:19.720 and feed efficiency than dairy steers. That performance 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:22.220 advantage creates cascading value throughout 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:25.700 the beef production chain. Douglas, let's talk 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:28.120 about the actual performance differences between 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:30.960 pure dairy steers and these beef -dairy crosses. 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:34.659 What specific metrics should producers be aware 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:38.100 of? Great question, Bella. There are several 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:40.240 key performance traits where these crossbreds 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:43.600 outperform straight dairy animals. Research from 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:46.139 university studies has documented significant 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:50.279 advantages in average daily gain, with crossbreds 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:53.659 often achieving 8 -25 % better growth rates than 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:57.059 purebred dairy animals. And I imagine that translates 00:09:57.059 --> 00:10:01.279 directly to fewer days on feed. Exactly right. 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:04.259 According to peer -reviewed research, beef -dairy 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:07.080 crossbreds typically spend fewer days on feed 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:09.919 compared to straight Holsteins. That represents 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:12.960 significant savings for feedlot operators, which 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:15.120 ultimately translates to higher prices they're 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:18.000 willing to pay for those crossbred calves. You 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:21.360 know, what about carcass characteristics? I know 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:23.360 that's been a historical challenge with dairy 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:25.860 steers. That's where we see some of the most 00:10:25.860 --> 00:10:29.080 dramatic improvements. Dairy steers typically 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:31.779 have lower dressing percentages, while these 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:34.399 crossbreds consistently achieve better red meat 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:37.990 yield. Research from Texas Tech University found 00:10:37.990 --> 00:10:40.549 that beef on dairy cattle produce carcasses with 00:10:40.549 --> 00:10:43.190 greater red meat yield than conventional Holstein 00:10:43.190 --> 00:10:46.210 steers, and high -yielding beef on dairy cattle 00:10:46.210 --> 00:10:49.129 can yield as high or higher than conventional 00:10:49.129 --> 00:10:53.549 beef cattle. Are all beef breeds created equal 00:10:53.549 --> 00:10:56.129 when it comes to crossbreeding with dairy cattle? 00:10:56.970 --> 00:11:01.440 Not at all, and this is a crucial point. Research 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:03.759 has shown significant differences between beef 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:05.799 breeds when used for crossbreeding with dairy 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:08.600 cattle. Some breeds contribute more to growth 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:11.460 rates, others to carcass quality, and some provide 00:11:11.460 --> 00:11:15.340 better calving ease. The optimal genetics depend 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:17.860 on your specific marketing situation and buyer 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:21.659 preferences. Does this mean everyone should just 00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:25.519 use popular beef breeds like Angus? Not necessarily. 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:28.779 The optimal genetics depend on your specific 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:32.440 marketing situation and buyer preferences. Some 00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:35.200 buyers may pay premium prices for specific breed 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:37.740 crosses based on their finishing programs and 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:40.559 end markets. The key is understanding what your 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:43.539 particular buyers value most and selecting genetics 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:46.000 accordingly. And let's get practical, Douglas. 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:49.480 If a dairy producer is convinced and wants to 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:52.860 start or optimize a beef on dairy program, what 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:55.720 are the key steps they should take? I recommend 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:58.620 a structured implementation approach. First, 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:01.120 establish your baseline by documenting current 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:04.100 breeding costs, conception rates, and calf values. 00:12:04.659 --> 00:12:08.100 Next, focus on genetic segmentation, analyzing 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:10.679 genomic data to identify ideal candidates for 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:13.179 beef breeding. Then move on to sire selection, 00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:15.580 choosing appropriate beef bulls for different 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:18.960 cow segments. And what happens after those initial 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:22.259 planning stages? The next critical step is marketing 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:24.620 development. establishing buyer relationships 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:28.120 and value documentation systems. Only then should 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:29.879 you actually implement the strategic breeding 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:33.559 program with consistent documentation. Finally, 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:35.779 you'll need to evaluate your first calf crop, 00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:39.039 analyzing birth data, calf vigor, and market 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:42.360 premiums. How do producers determine which cows 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:45.419 in their herd should be bred to beef versus dairy 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:48.759 bulls? The most sophisticated operations integrate 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:52.309 genomic testing to drive these decisions. This 00:12:52.309 --> 00:12:54.590 approach, supported by research from the American 00:12:54.590 --> 00:12:57.909 Dairy Science Association, allows you to identify 00:12:57.909 --> 00:13:00.590 genetically superior heifers and cows for dairy 00:13:00.590 --> 00:13:03.669 replacements, use sexed semen on top genetic 00:13:03.669 --> 00:13:06.690 merit animals, and apply beef semen on genetically 00:13:06.690 --> 00:13:09.590 inferior animals to maximize crossbred value. 00:13:10.269 --> 00:13:12.970 Wouldn't breeding fewer replacement heifers slow 00:13:12.970 --> 00:13:16.470 down genetic progress in the dairy herd? That's 00:13:16.470 --> 00:13:19.429 the fascinating part, Bella. Despite what traditional 00:13:19.429 --> 00:13:22.440 advisors might tell you, Breeding fewer replacement 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:26.120 heifers often accelerates genetic progress. Research 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:28.659 published in the Journal of Dairy Science found 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:31.159 that when only your top genomic animals produce 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:34.419 replacements using sexed semen, you can increase 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:37.039 your herd's genetic merit while producing fewer 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:40.299 total heifers. This counterintuitive finding 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:43.159 transforms how we think about replacement strategies. 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:47.360 What about marketing these crossbred calves? 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:51.820 Does it matter where and how you sell them? Absolutely 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:55.220 critical point. According to USDA Market News 00:13:55.220 --> 00:13:57.580 Service data, there can be a significant price 00:13:57.580 --> 00:14:00.360 difference between commodity and premium crossbred 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:03.399 calves, a difference directly attributable to 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:06.820 the marketing approach. Random selection of cows 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:08.799 for beef breeding and selling through traditional 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:11.700 auction channels captures only a fraction of 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:15.259 the potential value. So what marketing approaches 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:19.659 work best? Practical. Direct relationships with 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:21.879 specific calf raisers or feedlots who understand 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:24.740 the value proposition of your genetics can increase 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:28.720 premiums substantially. Documentation of health 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:31.419 protocols, genetic background, and creating consistent 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:34.559 groups add significant value. The highest performing 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:36.860 operations implement sophisticated marketing 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:39.700 programs that essentially transform commodity 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:44.090 calves into branded premium products. Douglas, 00:14:44.289 --> 00:14:46.870 what are the most common mistakes you see dairy 00:14:46.870 --> 00:14:49.409 farms making when implementing these programs? 00:14:50.309 --> 00:14:53.370 Based on industry observations, there are three 00:14:53.370 --> 00:14:55.809 critical mistakes that consistently undermine 00:14:55.809 --> 00:15:00.070 potential returns. First, breeding the wrong 00:15:00.070 --> 00:15:03.330 cows to beef sires. Random selection of cows 00:15:03.330 --> 00:15:05.529 for beef breeding can limit both dairy genetic 00:15:05.529 --> 00:15:10.100 progress and crossbred calf value. Instead, Genomic 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:12.480 testing should identify precisely which animals 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:14.799 should produce replacements and which should 00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:17.399 produce terminal crossbreds. What's the second 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:20.899 common mistake? The second is failing to develop 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:24.419 direct marketing relationships. As I mentioned 00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:26.539 earlier, selling through traditional auction 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:29.120 channels captures only a fraction of the potential 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:33.000 value. Direct relationships with buyers who understand 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:35.899 and value your specific genetics and management 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:38.899 practices can dramatically increase your premiums. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:42.840 And the third mistake? Not having a strategy 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:46.139 for mitigating genetic risks. Research from the 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:48.659 Journal of Dairy Science indicates that improper 00:15:48.659 --> 00:15:51.600 sire selection can lead to increased gestation 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:56.320 length, dystocia, and stillbirth rates. A comprehensive 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:58.860 approach should include careful sire selection, 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:02.220 particularly for heifers, avoidance of high birth 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:05.019 weight bulls, and continuous monitoring of calving 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:07.980 performance. Those sound like serious concerns. 00:16:08.909 --> 00:16:10.950 How can producers ensure they're selecting the 00:16:10.950 --> 00:16:14.149 right beef bulls? Work with reputable genetic 00:16:14.149 --> 00:16:16.169 companies that offer beef -on -dairy specific 00:16:16.169 --> 00:16:19.330 programs. These companies have done extensive 00:16:19.330 --> 00:16:21.950 research to identify bulls that work well in 00:16:21.950 --> 00:16:25.889 crossbreeding programs. Look for bulls with proven 00:16:25.889 --> 00:16:28.750 calving ease, especially for use on heifers, 00:16:28.750 --> 00:16:31.789 moderate birth weights, and strong growth and 00:16:31.789 --> 00:16:34.710 carcass traits. And always track your results 00:16:34.710 --> 00:16:36.889 and be willing to adjust your bull selections 00:16:36.889 --> 00:16:39.850 based on actual performance in your herd. Can 00:16:39.850 --> 00:16:43.049 you share some real -world examples of how different 00:16:43.049 --> 00:16:46.230 implementation strategies affect the bottom line? 00:16:46.629 --> 00:16:49.529 Research from multiple university extension services 00:16:49.529 --> 00:16:52.490 has documented significant differences in financial 00:16:52.490 --> 00:16:55.110 outcomes based on implementation approaches. 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:58.899 The key variables that drive financial performance 00:16:58.899 --> 00:17:01.539 include the percentage of the herd bred to beef, 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:04.200 the selection method used to determine which 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:07.599 cows receive beef semen, and the marketing approach. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:10.799 That would be really helpful. What does the basic 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:13.259 implementation look like compared to more advanced 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:18.059 approaches? A basic implementation might breed 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:21.119 20 % of the herd to beef using random lower producers 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:26.430 and sell through the sale barn, would use genomic 00:17:26.430 --> 00:17:29.349 guided selection to breed 35 % of the herd to 00:17:29.349 --> 00:17:31.329 beef and develop direct buyer relationships. 00:17:32.089 --> 00:17:34.690 The difference in annual revenue can be substantial, 00:17:34.970 --> 00:17:38.970 even for the same size operation. And how does 00:17:38.970 --> 00:17:41.009 that compare to the most advanced approaches? 00:17:42.210 --> 00:17:45.210 The most advanced programs typically breed 40 00:17:45.210 --> 00:17:48.750 -50 % of the herd to beef using an integrated 00:17:48.750 --> 00:17:52.440 genomic and sexed semen strategy. They participate 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:55.019 in value -added marketing programs and receive 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:58.859 premium prices per head. According to research 00:17:58.859 --> 00:18:01.180 models like those from the University of Wisconsin, 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:04.539 these advanced implementations can generate significantly 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:07.240 higher returns on investment compared to basic 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:10.500 approaches. That's a substantial difference in 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:13.099 potential revenue based solely on implementation 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:17.420 strategy. Exactly. And that's why implementation 00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:20.880 strategy matters so much. The difference represents 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:23.539 money left on the table without strategic planning. 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:26.640 Are there approaches from other countries that 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:31.180 North American producers could learn from? Absolutely. 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:35.259 The beef on dairy revolution is global, with 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:37.819 innovations emerging across major dairy regions. 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:40.980 New Zealand has pioneered integrated genomic 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:43.380 selection models that simultaneously optimize 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:46.720 dairy genetic progress and beef crossbred value. 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:49.640 According to research published in the Journal 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:52.420 of Dairy Science, their approach has demonstrated 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:55.799 significant genetic and economic gains when combining 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:58.619 genomic selection with strategic crossbreeding. 00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:02.519 Can these approaches work in North America? The 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:05.339 core principles, genomic selection, targeted 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:07.740 breeding, and value -based marketing, translate 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:11.579 effectively across borders. The specific implementations 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:14.059 might need to be adapted for North American markets 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:16.839 and production systems. but there's tremendous 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:19.319 opportunity to accelerate program development 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:23.079 through international knowledge exchange. It 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:24.980 sounds like there's a lot we can learn from these 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:28.460 global experiences. This has been an absolutely 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:32.099 fascinating conversation, Douglas. We've covered 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:35.279 the dramatic growth of beef on dairy crossbreeding 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:40.380 from just 50 ,000 calves in 2014 to over 3 million 00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:44.240 projected for this year. We've discussed... how 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:46.640 these programs can deliver substantial returns 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:49.779 when properly implemented. And we've outlined 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:52.240 the critical steps for successful implementation. 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:55.299 That's right, Bella. The beef on dairy revolution 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:57.960 has rapidly evolved from an innovative concept 00:19:57.960 --> 00:20:02.599 to an industry standard. With 72 % of dairy farms 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:05.140 now incorporating beef genetics into their breeding 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:08.099 programs, according to that Purina survey, the 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:10.259 question isn't whether to adopt beef on dairy 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:12.920 strategies. Most producers are already there. 00:20:13.549 --> 00:20:15.890 The real question is whether you're maximizing 00:20:15.890 --> 00:20:18.190 returns through precise implementation based 00:20:18.190 --> 00:20:27.630 on data -driven decisions. First, there's substantial 00:20:27.630 --> 00:20:30.650 ROI potential through crossbred calf premiums 00:20:30.650 --> 00:20:34.869 of $350 to $700 per head, plus savings from improved 00:20:34.869 --> 00:20:38.430 conception rates and reduced heifer costs. Second, 00:20:38.650 --> 00:20:41.670 use data -driven breeding. Genomic testing identifies 00:20:41.670 --> 00:20:44.210 optimal cows for beef breeding while accelerating 00:20:44.210 --> 00:20:47.230 dairy genetic progress. Third, market smarter 00:20:47.230 --> 00:20:49.769 by developing direct buyer relationships and 00:20:49.769 --> 00:20:54.130 documentation to boost premiums. Fourth, avoid 00:20:54.130 --> 00:20:56.609 pitfalls like poor sire selection that risks 00:20:56.609 --> 00:21:00.609 calving difficulties. And finally, consider adapting 00:21:00.609 --> 00:21:03.109 strategies from international models like New 00:21:03.109 --> 00:21:06.069 Zealand's integrated genomic approach. This is 00:21:06.069 --> 00:21:08.930 clearly a transformative opportunity for dairy 00:21:08.930 --> 00:21:11.859 producers. For our listeners who want to learn 00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:14.480 more or get help implementing these strategies, 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:18.599 where would you recommend they start? I'd recommend 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:20.779 reaching out to your genetic provider to discuss 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:24.420 beef on dairy -specific sire options. Many of 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:26.880 the major AI companies now have specialized programs. 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:31.440 Also, contact your local extension service. Many 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:33.819 have developed resources specifically for beef 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:37.180 on dairy programs. And of course, visit the Bullvine 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:41.299 website at www .thebullvine .com for more articles 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:43.839 and resources on this topic. That brings us to 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:46.140 the end of today's episode of the Bullvine Podcast. 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:49.740 We hope this discussion gives you practical insights 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:52.660 to transform your breeding program into a profit 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:56.500 center. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:59.400 wherever you get your podcasts and join us next 00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:01.980 time for more cutting -edge dairy industry discussions. 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:06.539 I'm Bella. And I'm Douglas. Thanks for listening.