2 minute read
Strategic Beef x Dairy Crossbreeding with ProfitSOURCE TM
: STRATEGIC BEEF x DAIRY CROSSBREEDING
You may recall that in our previous newsletter, we talked about the ProfitMAX ® program. The goal of ProfitMAX is to help producers better achieve long-term profitability from future herd replacements and improve short-term cash flow by increasing the value of extra calves to be sold to the beef market. Here’s a refresher on the ProfitMAX steps that Premier professionals can help you through:
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1. Genetic Audit
Collect data and analyze cow and heifer inventory. Project the number of replacement heifers needed to meet future herd size goals.
2. Rank Animals
Determine the genetic value of each female in the herd.
3. Create Elite Replacements
Determine the best combination of elite sires with conventional and/or sexed semen to use on top females for the purpose of increasing long-term profit potential.
4. Create Higher-Value Feeder Calves
For animals of lower genetic value, you might consider using ProfitSOURCE beef genetics to increase short-term cash flow through the sale of beef on dairy calves.
Let’s zoom in on ProfitSOURCE, the beef on dairy arm of the ProfitMAX program!
Selected for crossbreeding on Holsteins and Jerseys, ProfitSOURCE sires excel in calving ease, growth performance, carcass merit, and fertility. These elite terminal beef bulls are designed to meet specific genetic criteria:
Angus Sires:
• Top 30% of the breed for five of the six EPD traits related to growth and carcass merit: Weaning Weight (WW), Yearling Weight (YW),
Carcass Weight (CW), Marbling, Ribeye Area (REA) and $Beef
Top 55% of the breed for Calving Ease
Top 50% of the breed for Residual Average Daily Gain (RADG)
Bottom 70% of the breed for Yearling Height (YH)
Simmental, Charolais, and Limousin Sires:
• Top 50% of their respective breed for both Calving Ease and Terminal Index (The Terminal Index combines traits for growth, gain, and end-product merit into one index. Using above-average sires for Terminal Index means the resulting calves will perform well on feed and earn premiums at harvest)
Ask your local Premier professional for a listing of these elite terminal sires to help you create valuable beef on dairy calves!
ProfitSOURCE Partners are calf ranches, feedlots, and packers interested in source-verified, high quality ProfitSOURCE calves.
To send beef on dairy calves to a ProfitSOURCE Partner, producers must agree to use ProfitSOURCE sires, use ProfitSOURCE ear tags, maintain an organized record management program, and follow a specified calf care program including: colostrum provision within four hours of birth, navel dipping, proper housing, and proper nutrition. All calves and cattle must be managed in accordance with Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines. If you pursue a ProfitSOURCE Partner relationship, further details will be discussed upon the presentation of the ProfitSOURCE contract.
Premier is working to help producers across our territory identify the best outlets for marketing ProfitSOURCE calves to earn a premium.
Talk to your representative about ProfitSOURCE partners in your area! Regionalized partnerships have been formed, and we continue to grow current options and seek new opportunities to help you earn a premium for your ProfitSOURCE Beef on Dairy calves.
In addition to a variety of beef on dairy opportunities, Premier Select Sires is proud to announce that your cooperative now offers the option of using straight-bred beef embryos through a partnership with The J.R. Simplot Company. Simplot commercially produces SimVitro ® HerdFlex™ IVF beef embryos, which can be purchased and utilized in your herd via embryo transfer.
