Influence of the sire on market value of Belgian Blue x Brown Swiss crossbred calves

Aim of this study was to estimate the sire effect on market value (€/calf) of crossbred calves from Belgian Blue sires and Brown Swiss dams. The dataset accounted for 11,300 calves, progeny of 12 Belgian Blue bulls. Data on live weight (kg), price (€/kg), and market value were analysed with a model that included fixed effects of herd of origin, sire, sex, and age of the calf fitted as a linear covariate, and year and month of auction. Live weight, price, and market value averaged 68.6kg, 6.35€/kg, and 437€/calf, respectively. The market value of male exceeded that of female calves by 82€. Progeny of the worst and the best sire averaged 404 and 452€/calf, respectively. Results of this study shared that the choice of beef bulls should be carefully evaluated to optimize the benefits from crossbreeding.