Keeping Beef‑on‑Dairy systems efficient depends on reducing unnecessary handling and management steps from calving through to finishing. One of the most persistent challenges has been dehorning, a routine but labour‑intensive job that disrupts calves early in life. Polled genetics now offer a way to remove that task entirely.
“From a cow and calf management perspective, Beef‑on‑Dairy systems work best when they’re kept as simple as possible,” says Boomer Birch, Cogent Breeding Beef Program Manager. “Every additional job adds labour, time and cost, and dehorning has historically been one of those unavoidable pressures.”
A measured approach to polled British Blues
Over the past decade, Cogent’s breeding strategy has focused on supporting the needs of modern Beef‑on‑Dairy producers. British Blues are widely used for their calving ease, calf vigour, growth rate and strong terminal performance, but access to elite polled genetics has been limited.
“The priority was never just to introduce the polled gene,” explains Boomer Birch, Beef Programme Manager at Cogent Breeding. “It was about doing so without compromising the traits that make British Blues work so well in Beef‑on‑Dairy systems.”
Rather than fast‑tracking polled genetics, Cogent took a long‑term, structured approach, carefully integrating the polled gene into proven horned bloodlines. This ensured calving ease, consistency and performance were protected at every stage.
“That discipline is what’s allowed us to reach this point,” Mr Birch says. “Thor PP is the first progeny tested homozygous polled British Blue bull that can deliver hornless calves with no trade‑off in performance. From a practical farm point of view, that’s a major step forward.”
Clear management benefits on farm
Even when carried out to best practice and with appropriate pain relief, dehorning remains a significant intervention in early calf life. It requires skilled labour, additional handling facilities and follow‑up monitoring, all of which add pressure in already busy systems.
“Dehorning is still a major management event for calves,” says Mr Birch. “With polled calves, there’s no procedure to carry out, no stress event and no recovery period. That simplicity benefits both calf welfare and day‑to‑day management.”
For dairy farmers supplying Beef‑on‑Dairy calves, the advantages are increasingly clear. Calves that have experienced minimal intervention early on fit more easily into rearer systems and are often more desirable further down the supply chain.
“Rearers want calves that arrive with a quiet start and straightforward management requirements,” Mr Birch adds. “Polled genetics help deliver exactly that.”
A permanent genetic solution
Unlike dehorning, which must be carried out on every new crop of calves, polled genetics represent a permanent solution. A single breeding decision removes the need for the procedure entirely, along with the associated labour, cost and disruption.
“Polled genetics change the equation,” says Mr Birch. “It’s a one‑off decision that removes a repeated job year after year.”
By improving calf welfare, simplifying management and increasing calf appeal to rearers, polled British Blue genetics align closely with the future direction of Beef‑on‑Dairy systems.
“From a cow management point of view, it’s about efficiency, welfare and consistency,” Mr Birch concludes. “Polled British Blues tick all of those boxes.”
To find out more about Thor PP check out his bull page: https://cogentuk.com/beef/beef-impact/194709