Finding genetic balance: crossbreeding dairy and beef

Kristen Sindelar
May 31, 2022
May 31, 2022

Dairy Beef at bunk — An I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course examined the role of nutrition and employees in health management as well as consumer trends and market opportunities for dairy beef.
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Picture the perfect ribeye steak. Sizzling hot, its oblong shape fills your plate with just the right striation of marbling for a juicy, melt-in-your mouth tenderness, no extra seasoning required.

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Beef from dairy — Dairy ribeye, left, tend to have a long, flat shape compared to beef ribeye, right. Sire selection when crossing dairy and beef can help produce the beef muscling desired by consumers.
Image from webinar Optimizing Value of Dairy Beef Cross Cattle from Birth to Harvest

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Reporter Kristen Sindelar has loved agriculture her entire life, coming from a diversified farm with three generations working side-by-side in northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at Kristen.Sindelar@midwestmessenger.com.