Spreading the word of Nordic breeding

Walter and his team market VikingGenetics doses all over the Netherlands and reach into the Flanders region of Belgium. 

“We started the company in 1993, as it seemed like a good idea with plenty of opportunities. We have never had any moment of regret in all that time,” recalls Walter. “We service around 2,000 farmers with the genetics, many of whom have been good customers for years and have developed some very efficient herds with excellent cows,” he adds.

The company puts a high emphasis on two VikingGenetics breeding concepts, VikingJersey and ProCROSS. 

VikingJersey are healthy, high-performing Jersey cows producing the world’s highest milk solids levels. On the other hand, ProCROSS is a 3-breed rotational crossbreeding system combining VikingHolstein, VikingRed, and Coopex Montbéliarde.

Each of the three ProCROSS breeds compensates each other, bringing their own set of benefits to the table. VikingHolstein brings high production of milk and solids and excellent udder shape; Montbéliarde adds strength and fertility, and VikingRed improves health, longevity, and calving ease.

ProCROSS is widely used across The Netherlands to breed cows that suit the Dutch production landscape and the environment. These crossbreds maintain high production levels while eating less and lasting longer than purebred Holsteins.

In the picture: Walter Liebregts and VikingJersey Senior Breeding Manager Peter Larson during a visit to the herd of Maike Oegema.

Walter is also an advocate of the benefits of crossbreeding. Research shows that crossbred cows are also more sustainable than purebred Holsteins, with improved feed efficiency, vitality, fertility, health, and longevity traits – all thanks to the free benefits of heterosis. 

Heterosis is the increase of favourable characteristics of a hybrid organism over those of its parents. It is the opposite of inbreeding and happens when two unrelated breeds are crossed. 

“The ProCROSS system has two dominant success issues, which are heterosis and the use of three of the highest-producing dairy breeds,” explains Walter. “In terms of sustainability, the ProCROSS cows are 8% more feed efficient,” he adds. 

Walter has some good advice for farmers in The Netherlands and worldwide who might be considering a switch to the ProCROSS system. “Firstly, we audit the dairy farm to get better advice on what path to follow,” he explains. 

“The choice is not only influenced by financial reasons; the farmer should also feel attracted to these concepts. Without VikingGenetics these concepts are impossible to use, and we know hundreds of farmers who every day demonstrate their farms are better and the cows are happier by using our genetics,” he says proudly.

“Some areas in the EU focus on challenging farmers to have a more sustainable production system. Our concepts are better for the environment and for the income of farmers. I foresee excellent growth in the market shares of both ProCROSS and VikingJersey over the next few years,” he ends. 

Story by Chris McCullough