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Morrisons, in conjunction with Arla Foods, has released a report which looks into the role of Crossbreeding in the UK Dairy Herd as part of Morrisons’ Farm Programme.
Morrisons, working with members of Arla Foods Milk Partnership, commissioned dairy breeding expert Wes Bluhm to carry out the UK’s first global review, including research from the USA, New Zealand and Europe.
According to the Report’s main conclusions Crossbreeding can:
· Help address animal welfare concerns from both a financial and ethical perspective.
· Reduce welfare problems linked to reduced longevity and reproductive performance reported in some high yield herds.
· Improve survivability increasing potential of heifer sales and reducing requirement of replacements.
· Provide the opportunity, for the processing industry, of increasing the solids content of milk.
· Offer the opportunity to cross with beef sires which can improve the yield and quality of beef and a chance to increase income.
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