How longevity and Belgian Blue together deliver maximum returns

Longevity as a profit driver

Longevity is a powerful profit driver in modern dairy farming. Cows that produce multiple lactations without problems not only achieve higher lifetime production, but also deliver substantially lower rearing costs. While many farms replace 30-35% of their herd each year, farms with strong longevity figures can reduce this to 25% or less. This difference directly results in lower young stock costs, more efficient use of housing space, reduced labour pressure, better use of the ration, and lower phosphate output. A lower replacement rate can generate a significant business advantage. The exact savings naturally vary per farm situation, depending on factors such as ration, housing, age at first calving, and young stock costs. However, the principle remains the same: every additional lactation in which a cow produces without problems reduces fixed costs per litre of milk.

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The breed for maximum calf returns

Belgian Blue has been the most popular beef breed within the beef on dairy strategy in the Netherlands for many years. That is no coincidence. In November 2025, a Belgian Blue crossbred calf generated an average of €450 to €500, whereas a Holstein bull calf achieved only €250 to €300*. For a farm with 100 dairy cows, this quickly results in an additional €6,000 to €9,000 in annual income.

Efficient and proven Belgian success

In recent years, K.I. Samen has invested heavily in a reliable, return-focused Belgian Blue offering. Popular bulls such as Brutus (136), Moos rf (136), and Beer (134) from the Graashook combine easy calving with excellent muscling and a high market value of their offspring. They represent the absolute top within the Belgian Blue segment of K.I. Samen and the Netherlands. Their key strengths are excellent calving ease and a very short gestation length. This results in little to no complications and a faster start of the next lactation.

Fewer difficult calvings

These highly sought-after bulls deliver up to 80% fewer difficult calvings compared with bulls that have a breeding value of 100 for calving process. This directly translates into lower calf mortality, reduced veterinary costs, and less labour pressure. A bull such as Brutus results in fewer than 3% difficult calvings.

A shorter gestation length also increases the number of possible calvings per year and has a positive effect on productivity and animal welfare. Cows experience less stress, calves are more vital, and overall farm performance improves.

Male sexed semen provides certainty and extra income

Belgian Blue crossbreeding becomes even more attractive with male sexed semen, as the chance of a bull calf is 90%. In the current market, this immediately delivers an even higher return. K.I. Samen offers both male and female sexed semen from several Belgian Blue bulls, allowing dairy farmers to respond flexibly to their business goals.

The power of combining: longevity × Belgian blue = profit

By focusing on longevity and combining it with Belgian Blue beef on dairy crossbreeding, dairy farmers build a stable, sustainable, and profitable herd. Fewer young stock, lower costs, and higher returns per calf together create a strong foundation. The result is clear: breeding for longevity automatically means breeding for profit.

Is your farm in balance?

With our Farm in Balance approach, we look at total farm performance. A cow that is in balance lives longer, produces more lactations, and needs to be replaced less quickly. This leads to lower rearing costs and more opportunity to use Belgian Blue beef on dairy crosses. As a result, calf returns increase while you work towards a healthier, more sustainable, and future-proof farm.

For those who want to further explore the optimal combination of longevity breeding and a beef on dairy strategy, K.I. Samen is happy to advise on the most suitable bulls based on your current herd and business goals.