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14 Apr 2025

New scientific research pushes the limits of dairy crossbreeding

Developing tools to optimise crossbreeding

Crossbreeding is growing in popularity worldwide. Crossbred cows live longer than purebred cows, allowing them to produce milk for much of their lifetime. This boosts the economic efficiency of dairy operations and minimises environmental effects.

With a longer productive lifespan, these cows require less feed and emit less methane per kilo of milk, helping farmers boost profits and better adapt to climate regulations.

While crossbreeding is a well-established practice in poultry and pig production for enhanced fertility and profitability, it has been less common in dairy farming. This is mainly due to the lack of precise tools to help dairy farmers make efficient crossbreeding strategies.

To address this, VikingGenetics initiated the DairyCross Project, which ran from October 2018 to December 2023 with support from the Green Development and Demonstration Programme (GUDP), a business support scheme under Denmark’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. This project was done in collaboration with Aarhus University, VikingDanmark, SimHerd and SEGES Innovation.

The focus of the project was to develop:

  • genomic tools to identify crossbred heifers and cows with top genetics
  • a new crossbreeding concept - specialised crossbreeding production
  • tools for assessing which crossbreeding strategy best suits the individual herd

The DairyCross project also analysed the dairy sector to find potential new ways to organise more specialised production systems.  

“The DairyCross project has provided a large package of genomic selection tools and developed the crossbreeding strategy toolbox to support farmers’ decisions. This will enable them to select the best crossbreeding strategies for their herd and add more value to dairy production.”

Jørn Rind Thomasen, PhD, Senior Project Manager at VikingGenetics and Project Leader of the DairyCross project.

VikingGoldenCross Cow Crossbreeding

Genomic breeding values for crossbreds now a reality

A key challenge in crossbreeding has been identifying cows with superior genetics to breed the next generation. The DairyCross project developed special genomic breeding values derived from DNA information to address this. This provides tailored genetic evaluations for various crossbreed combinations and profitability traits.

In December 2021, the project delivered the first genomic breeding values for crossbreeding combinations between Red Dairy Cattle (VikingRed), Jersey and Holstein across 16 different traits. The breeding values are weighed in a total economic index to obtain the total value of each cow’s genetics. Now, approximately 20,000 crossbred animals have breeding values based on DNA information.

Dairy farmers with crossbred animals can now select cows with the highest genetic value in production, health, fertility, and efficiency much more reliably than before. This will make it easier to select top-level animals to inseminate with female X-Vik sexed semen and which to use beef semen on. 

Genomic testing of crossbred females (Holstein, Jersey, and VikingRed) is now available to VikingGenetics’ customers in the Nordics and will soon launch in other countries.

ProCROSS Cows Crossbreeding
The DairyCross project has provided a large package of genomic selection tools and developed the crossbreeding strategy toolbox to support farmers’ decisions.

Jørn Rind Thomasen,
Project Director, DairyCross Project

New tools for enhanced crossbreeding

A new feature in the insemination plan program used in Denmark allows farmers to prioritise genetic variation (heterozygosity) when selecting bulls. The DairyCross project shows that higher genetic diversity leads to more profitable and productive animals.

The CrossFlex app, developed by SimHerd, helps advisors and farmers quickly evaluate the economic benefits of crossbreeding. By entering key production, health, and financial data, users can: 

  • simulate the performance impact of different crossbreeding strategies
  • predict production, health, and reproduction
  • see the potential profit gains and cost reductions of crossbreeding

These new tools pave the way for more informed and effective breeding decisions.

The results of the DairyCross project are pivotal in supporting dairy farmers’ transition to crossbreeding, offering a path toward more sustainable and profitable dairy farming.

Are you curious about the benefits of crossbreeding and the best strategy for your herd? Click on '+' below to explore our crossbreeding concepts

A new concept in dairy farming

The DairyCross project also developed a groundbreaking crossbreeding concept for specialised production. This concept of high-performing purebred herds producing crossbred heifers is designed for streamlined milk production.

In a trial, the concept delivered excellent results in a well-managed VikingJersey herd. Using sexed semen, 50 Holstein x Jersey crossbred heifers were bred and sold to a recipient herd dedicated to milk production with uniform, crossbred cows. This system allows the recipient farm to operate as a specialised dairy farm, eliminating the need for breeding.

To ensure smooth collaboration, VikingLivestock facilitates contracts between the producer and recipient. The concept has sparked interest among several dairy farmers, highlighting its potential for modern specialised dairy operations.

Experience crossbreeding with VikingGenetics
VikingGoldenCross Cow Crossbreeding Grazing

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