Planning for initial embryo transfer operations in Italy and Poland intended use of cattle within their existing operations. The Italian herd was built from a historic old breed of Marremano cattle that has been in the region for over 2,000 years crossed with continental breeds such as Angus, Simmental, Hereford, and Charolais. The Polish herd was built from crossing Holstein dairy cows with Limousin bulls imported from Germany and upgraded with further Limousin genetics. This limited the number of “recips” available at both operations due to existing production demands at each ranch.

Both of these breeders had been using natural breeding for their breeding practices and each ranch had their own breeding and calving seasons. There became an obvious need for ET technical expertise to perform the preparation and implant work to assure success with the limited number of special embryos.

Dairy ET work is a common practice in both countries with high pregnancy rates from the very docile dairy cows. Both breeders recognized the need for robust facilities to work some very anxious and tense or aggressive cows. Initial ET results were deemed to be unsatisfactory at both locations. When more experienced ET techs became available from the dairy side, techniques were identified with hormonal preparation, working the cows more regularly with better chutes and handling facilities, improvements were made to dramatically improve further pregnancy rates. This extended the program timeline for Beefmaster herd development in each country.

To expand the number of recips available for the Beefmaster embryos, the ET technicians recommended using Holstein dairy cattle to take advantage of their docile, proven pregnancy success for the breeders in both Italy and Poland. Special arrangements were made to test these Beefmaster embryo implants with Holstein cows at different locations. Pregnancy rates have proven to be much more successful than using the in-herd more anxious and tense cattle. Docility is a trait that impacts fertility and reproduction using AI or ET methods of breeding.

The UK breeder in N. Ireland who obtained his Beefmaster embryos in 2016 is a dairy operator working with Holstein dairy cows. He began preparing for post calving ET work to use his dairy cows as recips then let his cows continue in milk production while carrying the Beemaster embryos to calving. He will also be using replacement heifers for ET to compare calving experience. His intent is to convert his dairy operation into a Beefmaster seed stock herd to enable him to market live heifers and bulls starting with a semen sales program across the UK. He foresees advancing Beefmasters to cross with Scottish and English Angus and Hereford to optimize benefits from the cross breeding heterosis. His first market is to use the Beefmaster semen with his dairy neighbors for stockers to feedlots.

As the Beefmaster potential for benefiting beef quality and efficiency has become better known within various European regions, several dairy operations, feedlots, and meat markets have expressed interest in supporting the growth of Beefmasters in Europe. The Italians are already using leaner low marbling Limousin bulls to create beef calves on dairy replacements. Several dairies in Italy are following the dairy to beef conversion model to substantially increase profits from milk sales to beef sales. Comparison of Beefmasters to Limousin carcass benefits have dramatically increased interest in this new breed option. The feed efficiency and nutritional gains expected from Beefmasters have also impressed the feedlots and meat markets.

Poland’s national “ProOptiBeef” initiative to improve beef quality and efficiency has focused several advantages and opportunities available from Beefmasters for their national beef herd objectives. To advance their large beef export market strategy, they need to upgrade their products that have been based primarily upon retired dairy cattle. The national herd used for their beef supply source is 90% Holstein with older cows and younger non-replacement female and bull calves destined for harvest. Poland currently consumes little beef but exports large volumes of beef meat to several world markets. Beef is critical to their international trade programs and they know they must upgrade quality to maintain their market share.

In January, 2016, DBL D BAR Ranch hosted a group from Poland, including Polish “ProOptiBeef” officials, beef marketers, and breeders. (This group was partially sponsored with BBU International Committee USLGE funds.) Visits were made to ranches, feedlots, genetic centers, and sales sites. Full day workshops were conducted at Texas A&M University Meat and Animal Science Departments focused on considerations for Poland beef improvement.

Dr. Stephen B. Smith presented a detailed discussion on nutritional aspects of various breeds and how they compared for improving oleic acid production in beef for healthy diets. The highly marbled Wagyu beef was used as the basis for comparison with Angus, Hereford, Charolais and Brahman beef. When asked to compare how Beefmasters would cross with the national Holstein herd, he was very impressed with the potential for high heterosis affects from the Beefmasters along with the high fat from the Holstein to create heavier healthy muscle. He projected that the oleic acid production to improve beef diets from this cross would approach the high quality from Wagyu. He pointed out expected higher carcass yields with much lower feed input and quicker development from feed to harvest would be available from this cross.

Texas A&M agreed to a letter of intent to support SGGW University in Warsaw to conduct further studies to measure the benefits of Beefmasters crossing with Holstein Friesian cattle following earlier 2013-2015 research by the University to compare continental breeds in a 10 million Euro research program. University of Bologna in Italy may join the project.

In discussions with one Italian genetic marketing and distribution firm, they forecast a market demand of at least 20,000 straws per year just for Czech Republic dairies. Cheese dairy producers in Italy have expressed interest in at least 10,000 straws for one specific region in the Italian Alps. The market demand is there. Growing the Beefmaster breed in Europe can capitalize on using these dairy applications to jump start the demand and use for cross breeding.