Supply of Dairy Beef Steers in the Future: Status of Crossbreeding and Sexed Semen

Crossbreeding is a popular tool for genetic improvement of pigs, beef cattle, and other livestock species, but its use in US dairy cattle has been limited for several reasons. The primary reason is the advantage of Holstein cows in milk volume, coupled with a milk pricing system that still tends to reward quantity, rather than quality, in many regions of the country (i.e., through volume premiums, hauling subsidies, etc.). In addition, most scientific research regarding dairy crossbreeding is outdated, and studies that have utilized the three main US dairy breeds (Holstein, Jersey, and Brown Swiss) are non-existent. Lastly, the historically strong role played by breed associations has tended to hinder the use of crossbreeding. However, a growing number of producers are experimenting with crossbreeding, and many questions have arisen about the results dairymen can expect when crossing various breeds.