Guidelines for Including Beef Embryos in Your Dairy

In contrast to the conventional markets for dairy-beef crossbred or straight-bred dairy calves, the market for whole calves from dairy farms has steadily grown in recent years. In addition to milk production, beef embryos have the potential to significantly improve the economics of a dairy farm by raising calf value.

Fremont, CA: In contrast to the conventional markets for dairy-beef crossbred or straight-bred dairy calves, the market for whole calves from dairy farms has steadily grown in recent years. In addition to milk production, beef embryos have the potential to significantly improve the economics of a dairy farm by raising calf value, maximizing return on investment, and providing a steady earnings stream.

What is causing this trend?

• Increasing demand for premium beef
• Genetic advancements enable dairy farmers to generate calves that satisfy market and production demands for beef.
• Historically low inventory of beef cows

Use these factors as a guide to help you adopt a beef-in-dairy program.

1. Make smart use of embryos.

Embryos are a good fit for a planned breeding program. You can anticipate conception rates on average, and occasionally even better than artificial insemination (A.I. ). The rates of conception and loss can vary by farm, production, and management techniques, just like A.I.

The implanted embryo avoids fertility-related difficulties and begins with a viable embryo placement. Heat-stressed cows frequently demonstrate an improved conception rate with implanted embryos over artificial insemination (A.I.).

2. Select recipients wisely.

To increase success, choose the appropriate receivers. It is advised to only choose cows in their first, second, or third lactation, with no more than three services. Cows should be in good physical condition; recipients of embryo transfers should not have a history of infertility or reproductive issues. Following synchronization, conception rates in anestrus cows are significantly reduced.

3. Spend money on training.

The precise nature of embryo transfer makes good technician training and ongoing education vital. Successful programs use embryo transfer as a component of their overall dairy management system to avoid upsetting cows' and people's routines.

4. Select sires to control the ease of calving.

Ease of calving must be considered when choosing mating choices, including embryos. Examine the choice of the embryo's sire before implantation. Managing pre-fresh cows properly can help allay worries about calf size at birth.

5. Adhere to correct animal ID procedures.

These calves should be distinguished based on early health and nutrition and traceability to the farm gate. The cattle marketing chain anticipates, values, and rewards these advantages.

Dairies are highly advised to handle these whole beef calves using the same health protocols and management techniques that they do with replacement females.

6. Stop taking prices; start setting them.

Develop a strategic plan and carefully weigh your marketing alternatives to achieve the highest possible price for your calves. You could also think about marketing weanlings, feeders, or day-old calves. Other options may result in higher income, such as maintaining ownership or signing a marketing contract with a cattle feeder.