Why crossbreed with Belgian Blue?

Crossbreeding two cattle breeds results in first-generation offspring that are superior to the average of their two parents, via the heterosis effect.
 

The Belgian Blue, a breed with many exceptional assets:

• Early maturity: first calving at 24 months
• Exceptionally fine bone structure
• Carcass yield of up to 70%
• Meat yield of around 80%, with a high proportion of “noble” cuts (topside and hindquarters)
• Meat quality: lean, low in cholesterol and tender
• Homozygous mh cattle: 100% of beef Belgian Blues have a double copy of the double-muscling/hindquarters gene (mh/mh)
• Feed efficiency

The double muscling gene: mh

The double muscling gene was naturally carried in the Belgian Blue breed (double purpose breed at its origin), as in many other cattle breeds.

From the 1950s onwards, breeders decided to specialize into beef cattle

Selection was therefore directed towards the production of animals homozygous for this gene (mh).Nowadays, the beef part of the Belgian Blue breed is entirely homozygous mh/mh for the double muscling gene.

For the livestock breeder

Increased value of progeny on the market

In cattle breeding, slaughter value of animals can represent up to 100% of a farm’s income, which is why it is a particular focus of attention.

The Belgian Blue breed passes on the double muscling gene – mh – which improves beef features of crossbred calves.

		NOT Belgian Blue
Belgian Blue	mh	mh/+	mh/+
	mh	mh/+	mh/+

Due to the profitable conformation of Belgian Blue crossbred calves, they are sold 3 to 4 times the price of a purebred Holstein calf of the same age (< 3 weeks).

A solution integrated to the cattle selection strategies

Genetic improvement of the herd

Selection in dairy cattle considerably evolved in the last few years, with the arrival of genomics for selection center bulls and its accessibility to breeders wishing to test their cows. It is now possible to classify animals, not only on the basis of their dairy performance, but also according to their genetic potential. This tool helps rationalize the herd renewal strategy based on key criteria of importance to the breeder.

When looking at technical and economic results, heifer rearing represents a significant cost that impacts on the profitability of a dairy farm. Among the various possible renewal strategies, the least costly is the use of female sexed semen combined with industrial crossbreeding. This strategy, applied to the classification of animals, considerably accelerates the genetic progress of the herd. By using Belgian Blue bulls from BBG for industrial crossbreeding, the breeder benefits from the profit of the calf sold, which he can reinject into his selection.

Protecting local cattle breeds

Protecting local breeds is important, whether for social reasons, to perpetuate traditions, or to preserve genetic diversity. They often have the advantage of being extremely well adapted to the local environment, but faced with a competitive market or growing demand, they are not very profitable. Breeders are therefore forced to abandon them in favor of hyperspecialized breeds.

Terminal crossbreeding with a BBG bull is an asset in this context. It enables the breeder to obtain an animal with increased meat value, which he can sell at a higher profit. This extra money can be used according to his needs, enabling him to maintain his herd of his preferential breed. What’s more, if he wishes to implement a selection strategy for his cows, terminal crossbreeding offers this opportunity by ceasing to breed animals that don’t meet his criteria.

• A higher daily gain + 6,68%
• A higher cold carcass weight + 5,5%
• A R carcass conformation (vs O) according to SEUROP classification
• A better feed efficiency: a 5,45% reduction of dry matter consumption per kg of liveweight and a 12,46% increase of the hot carcass weight (adapted: Moreno et al., 2008)
• +23,39% cm² for the longissimus dorsi muscle surface (cut pieces: loin, cube roll (or rib eye roll), chuck eye) (Keane et al., 2003)

For the consumer and the environment

Crossbreeding with Belgian Blue also offers benefits for human health and for the environment.

Belgian Blue beef is known for its tenderness, leanness (5%) and its low rate in cholesterol (+/- 45 mg/100g). For comparison, skinless chicken’s rate is at +/- 62 mg/100g. It should be noted that the fat content of a Belgian Blue crossbred calf will not be as low as that of a purebred animal but will be between those of both parents.