How will ProFarm™ bring more profit to the farmer?

Breeding is an investment in the future! Breeding means consciously combining parent animals – breeding a new generation – that has kept the desirable characteristics of the parents and improved the less favorable characteristics of the previous generation. This yields a higher economic return to the breeder. How? Have a look a the example of Farmer Imran (business case)

  Why is imported semen more expensive?

ProFarm™ Pakistan only imports pedigreed and proven semen. So the question should actually be; Why is proven semen more expensive? Proven semen is the result of very extensive and careful breeding programs in which a large  number of bulls are being tested. These "test" bulls have to produce at least a 1000 daughters spread over various herds. Only after 5 years a very few of these bulls will have proven themselves and can become production bulls.

  Why are some bulls more expensive than others?

Our prices are subject to international demand. Breeders can favor a bull for various reasons and our suppliers receive orders from all over the world daily. Based on demand and availability, prices are determined and adjusted periodically.

  Why should I choice for AI compared to the natural alternative?

Please read our section of Artificial Insemination

  Which bull should I choice for my cow or herd?

Please read our section on Breeding Advice

  What about crossbreeding with other breeds?

Crossbreeding with other breeds has certain advantages, but also involves some risks. When crossbreeding with other breeds, breeders conveniently make use of the so-called heterosis effect. This means that the offspring is better than the average of both parents. The less relationship there is between the breeds, the stronger the heterosis effect. Heterosis produces an additional positive effect in the form of more vitality and better fertility and health. That is the case for the first cross, in which the animal is, for example, half Holstein and half Jersey. In the next generation, this heterosis effect will diminish. However, against this positive heterosis, there is also a loss of other ‘strengths’. Milk production or protein level can diminish by crossbreeding.

  What to do after the first generation?

When crossbreeding, the big question is what to do after this first generation, the so-called F1? When a producer starts crossbreeding with other breeds, they should also draw up some specific breeding goals. A producer may wish to choose a single crossbreeding, after which they will cross back to their ‘old’ breed. In the past, many crossbreedings were done like this. Another possibility is to use the new breed permanently, this is called ‘displacement crossing’. After a number of years, the whole herd might then consist of, for example, Swedish Reds. It bears comparison with the ‘Holsteinisation’ in the Netherlands. The Dutch-Friesian cows have been almost completely displaced by the Holstein animals. Some Dutch breeders use a new breed every time they crossbreed. An example of this is the rotation crossbreeding between Brown Swiss, Holstein and Fleckvieh. By continuing with this order of breeds in their choice of sires, breeders will obtain the heterosis effect time and again. Eventually, the herd will be a colourful mixture of breeds. With crossbreeding, however, it is important that the producer makes a thorough inquiry into the choice of sires, to ensure that their herd stays uniform.

  Will the indigenous breeds disappear over time?

ProFarm™ recognizes the importance of preserving the indigenous breeds such as Sahiwal, Cholistani and Red Sindhi and other breeds native to Pakistan. They have traits, which are the result of many years of evolution and important under local conditions, such as resistance to heat, ticks and diseases. Also other companies and government organizations share this view, and together we must ensure the preservation of these breeds. ProFarm™ discourages breeders to cross breed with pure bred animals of local breeds.

  How do I compare bulls from abroad?

Interbull is an organization, based in Sweden, which collects all breeding values from all over the world. Interbull converts breeding values of foreign bulls. In this way, breeding values from different countries can be compared. Due to all this information, Interbull knows that a bull from Germany, with a breeding value of +1,000 kg of milk, will realize +900 kg of milk in the Netherlands, for example. In the Interbull conversion, factors such as different production conditions between countries and a different perspective on conformation are taken into account.

  What about inseminating with a beef bull?

A 50 percent beef breed calf will yield more than a 100 percent dairy calf. Breeders who don’t want to keep all their calves can inseminate part of their herd with beef bull semen, to sell them. This is called commercial crossbreeding. Those cows, from which Breeders don’t want to keep calves to replace any cows, are eligible for inseminations with beef bull semen. These cows are at the ‘lower end’ of the herd – they have lower genetic merit. Currently ProFarm™ Pakistan does not have beef semen available, but in the future we may have some  Belgian Blue bulls. This well-meated, double muscled beef breed from Belgium can produce crossbred calves that are born relatively easily.

  How many cows should I inseminate with a beef bull?

The advice is to inseminate up to a maximum of between 20 and 25 percent of your herd with a beef bull. In that case, Breeders have left enough young cattle to be able to select the best of dairy herd replacements. Obviously, only the ‘lower end’ of the herd, the cows with low breeding values, should be inseminated with beef bull semen. These cows are not good enough to keep heifer calves from them. However, some Breeders inseminate all their cows with beef bull semen and purchase herd replacements. You will have to weigh the costs of breeding your own
herd replacements against purchasing a cow or heifer that has calved or is due to calve. Every business has its own line of approach for inseminating with beef bull semen.

If you have any other questions please contact us at: profarm@profarm.com.pk