Industry experts predict dairy farmers will produce 2.92 million beef-on-dairy calves this year and 3.22 million in 2024. And those numbers may be conservative, writes Greg Henderson.
. . . sexed semen helps reduce the number of dairy cows needed to produce dairy heifers, thus allowing more dairy cows available for breeding to beef sires.”
Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 11, 2023. Link. On average, Texas Tech researchers found beef-on-dairy cattle produce carcasses with greater red meat yield than conventional Holstein steers, and high-yielding beef-on-dairy cattle can yield as high or higher than conventional beef cattle.
Also see: Cashing in on beef on dairy while beef herd rebuilds, Dairy Herd Management, August 31, 2023. Link.
Also see: What beef on dairy cross has the best value? Dairy Herd Management, August 25, 2023. Link.
INSIGHTS: Animal health pros need to stay abreast of the changes in production strategies happening in their dairy customers. Knowing what producers are trying to accomplish opens doors to discussions about disease prevention, nutrition, genetics, embryo transfer and more. Proactive communications with producer clients will pay dividends beyond point-of-service invoices. Involving local ag lenders, feed companies, nutritionists and suppliers takes coordination but furthers the value veterinary teams can provide.