As beef prices reach new heights, beef-on-dairy breeding in the dairy industry shows no signs of slowing. While dairy farmers seek a positive revenue line, raising steers for beef sale has also become an attractive option for several dairy farmers across the nation. In comparing the growth efficiency of dairy-type steers, Michigan State University conducted a study to evaluate performance and feeder calf value between dairy-beef crossbred steers and Holstein steers. Following the study, university researchers determined steers that are of a beef sire and dairy dam could result in a beef-type conformation, which adds production value over Holstein steers.
The study consisted of 120 animals, with 60 dairy-beef and 60 Holstein steers sourced from a Michigan calf grower at 4 months of age. Following the starter diet the steers were on, they were slowly transitioned to a finishing diet that consisted of corn silage, dry corn distillers grains, limestone, and a pelleted supplement with Monensin.
Despite all calves beginning the study at the same initial body weight, Holstein steers required an extra 21 days on feed to reach the same predicted percentage of empty body fat as the crossbred steers. The average daily gain tended to be 5% greater for dairy-beef steers, and they were 4% more feed efficient when compared to Holstein steers. There was no difference in health between the groups of steers, with no observed changes in morbidity or mortality.
Outside of the financial and productive advantages, dairy-beef steers proved to produce an optimal quality product after harvest. Although the carcasses had various similarities, the most significant differences were the large ribeye area and fat thickness in crossbred steers, which was estimated using a calculated empty body fat percentage. The crossbred steers were also recorded to have a more moderate frame score then the Holsteins. With a greater carcass value overall, dairy-beef steers reached a beef-type conformation which added value over Holstein steers.
Breeding crossbred steers for beef production carries its own set of economic advantages, and a goal of the study was to put prices on the production of these animals. There were no reported differences in non-feed costs, including several miscellaneous costs ranging from interest on purchasing cattle, vaccines, implants, death loss, and transportation. Holstein feeder calves were bought at $1.42 per pound and beef calves were bought at $2.25 per pound, which initially outlined an 83-cent difference. With the consideration of Holsteins having a greater feed cost due to taking longer to reach desired empty body fat percentage, the total cost of gain was $0.07 less per pound for crossbred steers.
