Invited Review: Effects of selection for milk production on cow-calf productivity and profitability in beef production systems

Abstract

The objective of this review was to discuss the effects of selection for milk production in beef production systems on productivity and profitability. The sources of data in this review were peer-reviewed literature, experiment station reports, and PhD dissertations. In an effort to maximize output, selection for growth-oriented maternal traits has been a focus in the beef industry. Although emphasis is placed on output traits, optimizing cowherd production costs (i.e., feed costs) and reproductive performance are drivers of cow-calf profitability. With increased milk production potential in beef cows, cow maintenance requirements have increased, thus increasing production costs. Increased selection for milk production can result in beef cows undergoing greater nutritional stress during early lactation, which ultimately reduces cowherd reproduction and efficiency. In addition, the influence of milk production on calf weaning weight has been shown to be highly variable. This may be due to the value of the added milk production not being fully captured due to environmental conditions. Previous research has shown offspring from high-milking cows have decreased postweaning growth and feed efficiency, due to increased maintenance requirements. Selection for milk production can led to a decrease in reproduction, resource use efficiency, cowherd retention rate, and offspring postweaning feed efficiency. Matching cow type or genetic potential to the production environment is important to optimize productivity and costs within the particular beef production system. Priority for commercial beef producers should be focused on economically relevant traits such as fertility and resource use efficiency.