Over the last five years, the amount of purebred dairy cows traveling through feedlots has declined dramatically. Dairies currently account for around 23% of total fed steers and heifers in the United States, with numerous factors contributing to this increase. One of the most significant impediments is the terrible drought that has covered most of the Midwest, forcing herd cutbacks in the cattle business. With the traditional cattle herd presently in liquidation, feeder calf prices have risen, causing a supply and demand imbalance between the beef sector and feedlots. Dairy farmers have helped fill the pipeline by producing beef-on-dairy calves and profited handsomely in the process.
Beef-on-dairy cross animals operate effectively in the beef supply chain system due to their uniformity. Dairy producers may supply premium meat to the pipeline while still making a sizable profit. To do so, however, farmers and feedlots must breed and feed these animals effectively. As the number of beef-on-dairy animals in the feedlot system increases, feedlots are looking for two crucial pieces of information to assist these crossbred cattle thrive:
1. Health Records: Buyers want to see that the animals they are acquiring have been well-cared for. Feedlots are specifically searching for beef-on-dairy animals that have had colostrum, been vaccinated, and have been subjected to the least amount of stress. Knowing when and what immunizations or medications were administered, as well as information on any health occurrences, is very useful data to provide. Feedlots can make better treatment options and comprehend a given animal’s performance indicators if they know its health state before it reaches the facility.
2. Nutrition Records: Moving a beef-on-dairy calf to the feedlot may be a traumatic experience. Halfa suggests that dairy farmers offer nutritional information to feedlots for beef-on-dairy calves sold after weaning. Providing feedlots with past diet information as well as the date the animal was weaned are two good pieces of information to provide.
Communication, traceability, and measurement are other important considerations. Communication and a well-established connection will always be required when selling cattle to purchasers. Dairy farmers excel at delivering timely and correct information, which not only provides purchasers with vital information but also opens doors to increased market access and the farm’s reputation for producing high-quality animals. Understanding the parameters for how these animals should be treated and fed in feedlots will assist increase the value of the animals delivered to market.
