As access to premium dairy beef genetic improves, the dairy beef sector represents one of the most promising areas for growth in New Zealand’s agriculture industry, and fronts significant opportunity for New Zealand farmers to add value to calves surplus to replacement needs.
And with a majority of percent of dairy farmers already using beef genetics, the shift away from natural mating bulls towards proven artificial insemination (AI) sires continues to gain momentum in a sector steeped in tradition.
Why does dairy beef genetics matter?
Natural mating bulls have traditionally been used on dairy farms as a convenient mating option, however the inconsistency in genetic performance of their progeny means farmers miss opportunities to produce calves with genuine market appeal. Recorded beef genetics offer measurable advantages.
Progeny proven sire beef genetics have been growing in popularity in the genetics market with a number of genetics companies providing a wide range of genetics solutions. This focus on dairy beef genetics provides farmers access to improved heritable traits, especially in calving length and calving difficulty, day weights and more, which obviously leads to better returns for rearers and finishers alike!
The difference between sires of the same breed can be substantial. According to DairyNZ, sire selection matters more than breed selection when it comes to gestation length, birth weights, and carcass performance – true in dairy cows, but especially so in beef!
What to look for in dairy beef genetics
When selecting beef genetics for dairy herds, several critical traits deserve attention:
Calving ease and birth weight: Lower birth weights reduce calving difficulty, something particularly important for younger dairy heifers or those with smaller stature. According to DairyNZ, calving difficulties increase by around 2.3 percent per kilogram increase in birth weight – so it really matters! Using proven sires with documented Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for birth weight provides confidence in outcomes.
Gestation length: Shorter gestation periods help maintain tight calving patterns and optimal days in milk for dairy cows. The average gestation for dairy cattle in New Zealand is 282 days, but beef breeds can vary significantly from this benchmark. Minimising gestation length is a great way to provide more stability and predictability to your breeding season.
Growth rates and carcass quality: Fast-finishing animals with superior carcass characteristics command premium prices when they go to the works. Beef breeds excel in muscle development, eye muscle area, and lean meat yield compared to straight dairy-bred cattle. Selecting sires with strong growth EBVs produces calves that perform well through the entire production cycle.
Making the right choice in your beef breed
Angus and Hereford remain the dominant beef breeds among New Zealand herds. Angus has been the most popular beef breed in New Zealand since the 1950s, with Hereford cattle a consistent second.
Beyond these traditional breeds, farmers now have access to more recent breeds in the market, like Charolais, Simmental, and Belgian Blue programs. And while New Zealand breeding programmes aren’t particularly refined in these ‘newer’ breeds, it’s a problem solved by overseas genetics and international breeding programmes.
For kiwi farmers seeking reliable access to international genetics, World Wide Sires NZ offers a comprehensive range of recorded beef genetics suited to New Zealand’s farming conditions.
Their dairy beef program includes:
- Belgian Blue
- Angus
- Hereford
- Speckle Park
- Charolais
As part of their local offering, World Wide Sires genetics puts forward a range of breeding traits that farmers can use to make educated decisions on what’s right for them.
Polled
Multiple breeds including Angus, Hereford, Charolais, and Speckle Park are available in polled genetics, eliminating dehorning costs and welfare concerns.
Proven sires with full EBV data
All bulls marketed through World Wide Sires come with transparent performance data. Kiwi farmers can access EBVs for calving ease, birth weight, growth, and carcass traits, allowing informed breeding decisions.
Short gestation length
Maintaining tight calving patterns matters. World Wide Sires offers bulls specifically selected for shorter gestation, meaning tighter calving spreads and improving predictability.World Wide Sires’ breeding consultants work directly with farmers across New Zealand to develop genetic strategies tailored to individual operations. Their team understands the unique requirements of New Zealand’s pasture-based systems and can recommend bulls that suit specific breeding goals, calving patterns and farm setup.
Making a seamless switch from natural mating
The transition from natural mating bulls to AI programs with quality dairy beef genetics requires planning but delivers measurable returns. Farmers report easier calvings, stronger calves with better growth rates, and increased demand from calf rearers.
With progeny-tested sires available through providers like World Wide Sires NZ, breeding consultants and progressive farmers have the tools to consistently produce high-value dairy beef calves. The investment in quality genetics pays dividends through the entire production chain, from easier calvings on the dairy platform to premium prices at processing.