The advancements in genomics and sexed semen is making significant changes in how dairy producers manage cows. There is still a need for milk cows to have calves but not all calves need to be returned to the milking herd. By breeding the lower quality milk cows to beef bulls, dairy producers are building potential to impact the beef industry in a big way.
<the author> has heard estimates that as many as 1.5 million head of additional beef sired dairy feeders are expected to be born in the next 18 to 20 months.
Source: Milk, July 11, 2019. Link.
Beef-on-dairy supply chains could put tremendous pressure on both commodity and premium beef channels. This might very well be the first opportunity our industry has seen for real large-scale supply chains to be cultivated. When the potential exists for change of this size and scope to occur, it deserves our collective attention.” – Jared Wareham
INSIGHTS: There’s a storm cloud on the horizon in the beef industry . . . and its mother is black and white!
Also see: Doing Dairy-Beef Ian Crosbie’s Way, The Bullvine, May 1, 2019. Link.