Projects

Federal State

North Rhine-Westfalia

Project Title

Optimized crossbreeding on dairy farms to establish a regional beef value chain in NRW (RegioRind NRW)

Project description

On many dairy farms, part of the herd is inseminated with beef breeds to produce crossbred calves for beef fattening. The reason for this is that crossbred calves are more marketable and more profitable than bull calves of the Holstein dairy breed. The majority of crossbreeds are White Blue Belgian (WBB), as these currently achieve the highest prices. The calves promise very good master results and can be clearly identified by their coloration. Compared to other breeds, however, there is a higher risk of heavy births, which can be associated with losses in performance and animal welfare for both cow and calf. Many farmers are now looking for alternative meat breed crosses. The aim of the project is to test alternative breeds for crossbreeding in NRW and to create a scientifically sound data basis. The aim is to produce calves with good fattening potential from the region for bull fattening in NRW so that the transportation of purebred Fleckvieh calves from the south can be dispensed with. In addition, the aim is to facilitate networking between the players involved along the value chain in NRW.

Final report

Results and the Final report will be found here, as soon as the project is completed.

Main funding source

Rural development 2023-2027 for Operational Groups (in the sense of Art 127 of Reg. 2021/2115)

Project status

ongoing

Total budget applied for in EUR

498,505

Link 1

NUTS3 CODE

DEA22