The USDA's Cattle Inventory Report reveals that the U.S. cattle inventory is the smallest it’s been in 73 years.¹ At the same time, consumer demand for beef continues to grow steadily. This presents an opportunity for beef-on-dairy programs to help stabilize the beef supply and develop higher quality animals that will continue to provide quality products to consumers.

To meet the market’s demands and to produce top-notch beef that satisfies both packers and consumers, it’s not only critical to start these animals right, but also to finish them right. This is why having a finishing program that prioritizes health and muscle growth in beef-on-dairy calves is so important and translates into fewer health issues, improved meat quality and greater returns.

Achieving top-quality meat from beef-on-dairy calves demands a comprehensive approach to finishing. To effectively manage cattle health, growth, and performance, cattle feeders can consider the following:

• Source animals from reputable operations: Animals coming from reputable operations with accurate health records and a strong nutritional background will be most successful in the feedlot. Calves with an unknown health and nutrition history can increase production costs due to extended feeding time and treatment costs. If cattle are coming from multiple locations, avoid immediate comingling. Keeping cattle from different locations in different pens can reduce the risk of widespread disease outbreaks.
  
  
• Ensure use of good animal husbandry practices: Use handling techniques that minimize stress and ensure cattle pens have adequate bedding and are appropriately stocked.
  
  
• Implement strong vaccination and treatment protocols: Work with your veterinarian to implement a vaccination and treatment program to mitigate the negative effects of respiratory disease and other illnesses.
  
  
• Establish a solid nutrition program: Producers have one chance to ensure beef-on-dairy calves begin their journey on the right hoof. If this critical timeline is overlooked, these calves may fall short of reaching their full potential. Provide cattle with a well-balanced diet and nutrients to support their immune system throughout the transition period. Working with a nutritionist to help balance nutrients is key to achieving your overall growth and performance goals.

In addition to maintaining overall health, nutrition is vital for achieving an optimal lean-to-fat ratio in cattle prior to processing. Given that these calves are neither native beef cattle nor purebred dairy steers, their nutritional requirements are different. Research conducted at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center has identified that beef-on-dairy calves do very well on high-protein, high-energy diets. Carefully managing the finishing diet to include the right balance of roughages, forages, and grain can play a key role in helping calves maintain a healthy gut to avoid issues like acidosis that can lead to liver abscess challenges as well as aid in the development of lean muscle desired by both packers and consumers.

The finishing stage serves as a crucial opportunity to build on the strong foundation built in the preweaning phase and further enhance the quality and characteristics of the beef, ultimately delivering exceptional products to consumers.

For more articles and information about the beef-on-dairy sector, visit purinamills.com/dairy-beef to download the Beef-on-Dairy Industry Report.

References

¹ United States Department of Agriculture. 2024. USDA Cattle Inventory Report.