Use Belgian Blue bulls from K.I. Samen to boost profitability
Our ‘Balanced Farm’ approach examines the totality of revenue at farm level. The costs involved in rearing and the prices achieved by calves play a key role in the total revenues. Rearing young stock is labour intensive and involves considerable costs for feed, housing and care. If the cows in a herd continue to produce for longer, the replacement rate will be lower.
Using Belgian Blue increases the benefits
If less young stock is needed to replace cows, more Belgian Blue bulls can be used for insemination to realise higher prices for calves. Preventing calving difficulties and a poor or delayed start of the next lactation is vital.
Fewer high birth weights
For many years, the breeding programme at K.I. Samen has focused on selecting bulls with proven good traits for the maternal calving process and short gestation times. This focus is also reflected in the figures. For example, the average breeding value for calving ease of our top 10 BB beef on dairy bulls is 134.1, significantly higher than the 126 of the top 10 bulls used by another Dutch breeding programme. This translates in practical terms into fewer high birth weights: at K.I. Samen, the percentage of high birth weights is 3.5%, with a figure of 6.1% noted by the other breeding programme. This data is based on the Dutch herdbook figures for August 2024.
What does a breeding value say about calving ease?
The graph below indicates that a breeding value of 100 results in an average of 14.3% heavy calf birth weights, whereas with a breeding value of 125 for calving ease, this is 6.4%. K.I. Samen has no fewer than 17 bulls in its portfolio that score 125 or higher for calving ease.
Shorter gestation time prevents high birth weights and slower post-calving recovery
Farmers can benefit from fewer complications during calving by selecting bulls with high breeding values for calving ease and short gestation times. A short gestation time results in calves with a lower weight at birth. This leads to a faster postcalving recovery. The cows can start lactating again sooner, which has a positive effect on milk production and higher yields. The table here shows the difference in the average gestation time between our top 10 bulls and the top 10 bulls from another dutch breeding programme. The average breeding value of our bulls is considerably lower, with a difference of 6.1 compared with the other dutch breeding programme. This data is based on the dutch herdbook figures for August 2024.
“K.I. Samen bulls contribute to sustainable herd management, higher yields and greater job satisfaction.”
Demonstrable benefits for your farm and your wallet
To sum it up, BB beef on dairy bulls from k.I. Samen will boost your profitability and job satisfaction. A smooth calving process, quicker post-calving recovery and higher prices achieved by the calves will maintain a healthy balance on your farm.
Satisfied Belgian Blue user: “We regularly use Belgian Blue. Although the calves are light weight at birth, they drink well and grow quickly. Getting a good price is what it’s all about.“
– ROELOF JAN WATERINK, BEERZERVELD (NL) –
