In recent years, the dairy industry has witnessed a significant rise in the number of beef cross calves being born. This emerging trend of crossbreeding dairy cows with beef bulls at a large scale has not been a linear process.

The usual suspects (expected progeny differences [EPDs], genomic testing, heterosis) were covered, as were some issues (beef-on-dairy, methane emissions, cardiac health) that may have been a bit more of a surprise to the uninitiated at an event ostensibly dedicated to beef cattle genetics.

Breeding Simmental and SimAngus cattle is the passion for Stephens Beef Cattle, a family-owned operation located in Ewing, Kentucky. The business was started in 1997 by Jeff and Angie Stephens, and their two children and son-in-law now partake in daily operations.

With more than 1,000 head of registered Hereford, Angus and commercial Brahman-influenced cattle, the Melancon family has their sights set on making a name for themselves in the Southern seedstock industry. 

Among other options, some producers may choose to put on a production sale. While this option can work for some, the overhead and labor involved with this type of marketing can be a turnoff for others.

"Give Lehouiller an idea and it will happen" is how his colleagues describe this young veterinarian with big plans for the future of reproduction in the Eastern provinces.

This spring season has seen colder-than-normal temperatures in many parts of the country. Cold temperatures and wind can result in damage to bulls’ ability to produce viable semen. Bull breeding soundness exams offer the opportunity to identify and remove bulls from the breeding herd that have a low probability of siring calves.

As with everything in the beef industry, there is no magical potion or protocol that will guarantee achieving maximum success with an A.I. program in all management scenarios.