Abstract #368

# 368
Consequences of crossbreeding, genotyping, and use of sexed semen and beef semen on genetic merit and profitability in Swedish dairy herds.
J. Clasen*1, M. Kargo2,5, S. Østergaard3, W. Fikse4, L. Rydhmer1, E. Strandberg1, 1Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, 2Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Foulum, Denmark, 3Department of Animal Science, Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Foulum, Denmark, 4Växa Sverige, Uppsala, Sweden, 5SEGES, Danish Agriculture & Food Council, Skejby, Denmark.

Crossbreeding, genotyping, sexed semen and beef semen can improve herd economy in different ways. The economic and genetic consequences of combining them are complex and need to be studied further. We have investigated 22 different scenarios of average Swedish herds having only purebred Holstein or managing systematic terminal crossbreeding. The crossbreeding system implied having Holstein purebreds and terminal F1 Swedish Red x Holstein crossbreds within the same herd. The scenarios had different combinations of strategic use of sexed semen with or without genotyping of purebred heifers to select females to produce future replacement heifers based on genomic breeding values. Use of beef semen was included in all scenarios to produce calves for slaughter and limit the surplus of replacement heifers. In the crossbreeding system, all dairy crossbred females were serviced with beef semen, i.e., they had no influence in breeding. The scenarios were simulated using a combination of 2 simulation models from Aarhus University, Denmark: SimHerd Crossbred that simulates herd dynamics including heterosis effects but not additive genetic effects, and ADAM that simulates the additive genetic herd level within scenario. Crossbreeding had positive effects on the herd profit compared with purebreeding, due to heterosis and increased income from beef x dairy slaughter calves. Interestingly, when large amounts of sexed semen were used, the purebred cows in the crossbreeding scenarios achieved a larger genetic merit compared with the purebreeding scenarios. Furthermore, genotyping and sexed semen had clear positive effects on the genetic merit. Use of sexed semen allowed for more use of beef semen, which had positive effects on the herd profit. Crossbreeding reduced the number of purebred heifer calves to be genotyped, which reduced the annual costs of genotyping. In general, any combination of the breeding tools were economically beneficial, compared with not using any of them. The most favorable scenario on herd profit included crossbreeding, sexed semen in 50% of heifers and in 25% of cows, and genotyping of all purebred heifers.

Key Words: crossbreeding, genotyping, herd economy