Crossbreeding: A Dirty Word or an Opportunity?

Historically, genetic improvement programs for dairy cattle focused on within-breed selection strategies due to the strong role of breed associations in developing selection policies and a milk pricing system that rewarded volume rather than cheese yield. As a result, Holsteins became the predominant breed in the US and most other major milk producing nations. However, farmers have become increasingly frustrated with the health, fertility, longevity, and calving performance of Holstein cattle. In addition, milk processors have implemented payment schemes that have increased the incentive to produce milk with high fat and protein content. For these reasons, crossbreeding is rapidly gaining attention among dairy producers, as they seek to reduce production costs, veterinary treatments, and management interventions.