HER D
Breeding to Feeding™ Adds Value to Calves
MANA G EMENT
BREEDING FEEDING WULF x GENEX CONNECTING SUPPLY AND DEMAND
J Thousands of Limousin x Jersey cattle are being fed in Wulf Cattle feedlots, born at Riverview Dairy in Minnesota. Riverview Dairy utilizes Wulf Limousin genetics on their less profitable dairy cows to enhance the value of resulting Jersey bull calves.
Breeding to Feeding was introduced in July 2012 to help dairies capture more value from bull calves. It’s unique as it connects beef semen use with a buyer for resulting beef x dairy calves. Breeding to Feeding is an alliance between Genex and Wulf Cattle of Morris, Minn., a respected cattle feeder and seedstock breeder. Genex custom collects Wulf Limousin and Lim-Flex® semen and markets to dairies. Wulf Cattle will buy-back resulting calves from the following areas to finish in their Nebraska feedlot: California, Colorado, Idaho, I-29 corridor, Minnesota, Texas/ New Mexico and Wisconsin. These initial areas were selected because of dairy cow density and ease of transport to feedlots.
©2012 CRI
In 2010, Wulf Cattle was approached by neighbor Riverview Dairy about incorporating Wulf Limousin genetics into the Jersey herd. Riverview Dairy’s goal was to enhance Jersey bull calf value – adding muscle without sacrificing calving ease. Riverview Dairy was and continues to be the test herd for Breeding to Feeding. The dairy’s heifers and top milk cows are bred to dairy sexed semen, and the less profitable cows are bred to Limousin semen. Thousands of breedings demonstrate positive conception and calving ease. The first loads of Limousin x Jersey crosses were harvested in summer 2012 with very appealing yield results and strong interest from packers. Limousin is a complementary terminal cross, adding muscle and feed efficiency to the high marbling from Jerseys
and Holsteins. Limousin genetics increase yield grades and ribeye areas over straight dairy carcasses at market. Lim-Flex (a Limousin x Angus hybrid) are also a great cross on Holsteins. The mating produces the heavy muscling of Limousin cattle and the carcass qualities of Angus on the frame of a Holstein. “This is a game-changer,” declares Jerry Wulf, President of Wulf Cattle. “Creating a ‘Wow!’ beef eating experience for consumers, while finding solutions for dairymen, is truly win-win, pullthrough demand at its best!” Visit www.breedingtofeeding.com for more information or scan the QR code for an article on Breeding to Feeding printed in Dairy Herd Management.
HORI Z ONS
|
1 9