Beef farmer? Dairy farmer? Producers in the dairy world are wearing both hats today. With the increased use of sexed semen on progressive dairy operations, dairy producers have the perfect opportunity to implement a strategic breeding approach. By utilizing the combination of sexed semen and beef semen, producers can create a complementing replacement herd while also creating a terminal cross – something in high demand in the current market!
In come programs like the GENEX FeedWise™ – the industry’s first full-circle beef on dairy program. Available for dairy producers in the U.S., FeedWise™ gives producers access to an exclusive Leachman Stabilizer™ semen blend. In turn, the resulting calf has a guaranteed buyer at the time of purchase. GENEX and its larger URUS family, have structured the FeedWise™ program connecting all the moving parts – genetics, distribution system, calf growers and feeders – in one full-circle.
Jeff Lutz, FeedWise™ lead with GENEX, emphasizes the need to tap all income sources on modern dairy operations, “the black calves are a nice revenue stream for dairy farmers and a must for any progressive operation.”
Within the FeedWise™ program, ONXY™ semen is customized specifically to use on Holstein, Jersey and/or Holstein/Jersey cross females. The semen is sourced from Leachman Stabilizer™ cattle which is a unique proprietary line of cattle that has been developed over the last 30 years. This registered beef breed, is a multi-breed composite developed specifically by Leachman Cattle in Colorado. The breed, a blend of Angus, Red Angus, Gelbvieh, Simmental and South Devon breeds, has a unique combination of muscle and marbling. Additionally, the breed is known for improved feed conversion rates, higher fertility, increased longevity and hybrid vigor.
Use of Leachman Stabilizer™ genetics in the form of ONXY™ semen within the FeedWise™ program is the perfect complement to dairy females because of the standout calving ease, shorter gestation length, high conception rate and impressive calf health and vigor. These are very important priorities for dairy producers. In addition to the guaranteed buy back, FeedWise™ users receive a GENEX credit for each calf that moves through the FeedWise™ system.
Early user of the program, Jason Storm from Storm’s Oasis Dairy in Nevada shares, “We get paid every week with prices shadowing the local market. We are receiving four times more than what we made raising our own calves.”
When producer’s sign-up for the GENEX FeedWise™ program, they are taking the guesswork and stress out of their beef on dairy program. By using a full-circle approach, FeedWise™ is helping to create the right kind of beef on dairy terminal cross animals while also putting producers’ minds at ease with a guaranteed buy back.
Be the first to comment