One of the reasons for this interest can be tied to the increase in the use of beef semen to breed dairy cows. According to Modern Farmer, the sales of beef semen shot up by 128% from 2018 to 2020. In 2021, sales of beef semen hit 8.7 million units, the highest number on record. Even more, the practice is expected to further grow, indicating the beef on dairy trend will continue to increase. As more research is conducted, we can expect to see ongoing improvement in the quality and efficiency of these crossbred cattle.
Another driver of this interest is the reduction in the cowherd due to drought that has resulted in increased culling of brood cows and reduced heifer retention; the current beef cow herd is estimated to be at the lowest level since 1962. As the supply of calves available for placement into the feedlot becomes tighter, beef cross calves are an opportunity to fill this gap in the supply chain. In addition, beef cross calves offer the opportunity for continuous supply and traceability not readily available today in what we think of as the traditional beef segment.
Using beef bulls on dairy cows has been shown to produce a more valuable, higher performing animal compared to a straight dairy calf fed for beef. For dairymen selling day to week-old calves, these beef cross calves can be worth up to double their traditional dairy-beef counterparts because they can improve feed efficiency and have more desirable carcass traits for the feedlot producer and packer, respectively. Additionally, research conducted by Texas Tech University1 found that breeding dairy cows to beef bulls had no significant impact on milk production. It should be noted though, that simply using a beef bull on dairy
cows does not ensure a quality beef cross calf. Differences in dairy breeds and within individual herds will impact which terminal sires are right for the individual dairy herd. Work with your genetic supplier to evaluate which of their sire lines pair well with the inherent beneficial dairy carcass characteristics, such as marbling and flavor, and improve upon other traits, such as growth, feed efficiency, frame, and dressing percent.
With the increase of beef cross calves entering the supply chain, there are several challenges associated with raising beef cross animals that producers should be aware of to ensure their success.
Calf raising: Beef vs. Dairy
A traditional beef calf will spend up to the first 4-6 months of life with its dam and on average weigh between 400 to 600 lbs. prior to weaning. During this time, the calf slowly transitions from a milk-based diet provided by the calf’s dam to a pasture-based, milk-supplemented diet. After weaning, traditional beef calves will either enter the feedlot on a higher-roughage backgrounding/grower ration or go out on grass as a stocker calf, prior to transitioning onto the final high-energy finishing ration. Conversely, beef cross calves are typically weaned around 2-2.5 months of age and weigh between 200-250 lbs. Beef cross calves will also transition onto a higher energy grower ration at weaning, entering the feedlot between 300-500 lbs., and transition onto the final high-energy finishing ration.
Another difference between the two systems involves the number of times calves from each system are likely to be transported. Traditional beef calves undergo periods of stress in their lifetime, such as weaning and receiving, often facing two or three moves total throughout their lifetime. In contrast, beef cross cattle will likely experience greater stress, due, in part, to more transportation from additional moves, resulting in a new environment, new pens, and stressors such as socialization and dietary changes.
These differences between the two systems, age at weaning and weight upon transition to the final finishing diet, and number of moves can lead to some of the challenges associated with beef cross calves. Specifically, longer days on feed, the
reduced feed efficiency associated with longer day fed cattle, and the potential for increased incidence of acidosis, rumenitis, and liver abscesses.
Liver abscesses can be attributed to an acidic and unstable rumen environment that may start at a young age:
The rumen is the main fermentation chamber of the stomach, containing bacteria, protozoa, and fungi that break down feedstuffs in the rumen. When the pH level of the rumen becomes too acidic, it can cause damage to the papillae of the rumen. This can lead to damage of the rumen wall, allowing bacteria from the rumen to the liver, which can lead to the development of liver abscesses. There are several factors that can contribute to an acidic rumen environment, including highly fermentable feedstuffs, bunk management, stress (including heat stress) which can lead to slug-feeding, a main contributor to rapid pH drop in the rumen, which can negatively impact intake, gain, and feed conversion.
For packers, beef cross carcasses still present a higher rate of liver abscesses in comparison to conventional beef. The industry average for liver abscesses is around 19% for steers and 18% for heifers. However, when researchers investigated traditional dairy beef steers, that average rose to about 25%2. It is believed liver abscesses are more prevalent in beef cross cattle because of the need to feed a more concentrated diet for an extended period in comparison to conventional fed-beef cattle. This is a concern for many packers, as liver abscesses can slow down production time, leading to additional trimming, which slows the production line, increasing labor cost and reducing meat yield.
To help prevent liver abscesses, it is essential to provide the right nutrition to beef cross calves from day 1. This includes quality colostrum at birth, dipping the navel, a high plane of nutrition in the nursery phase, and transition onto a balanced diet with an adequate amount of roughage. In addition, incorporating a postbiotic feed additive into the diet can help improve gut health. Postbiotic feed additives contain beneficial metabolites that promote digestive health and support the immune system, which can help to reduce the incidence of liver abscesses.
To ensure beef cross cattle receive the proper nutrition and postbiotic feed additives, it’s important to work closely with a veterinarian and nutritionist. They can help develop a feeding plan and health protocols that meet the specific needs of the herd and monitor the animals for any signs of health problems. By paying close attention to nutrition and incorporating postbiotic feed additives into their diet, producers can help to promote a healthy gut and thereby reduce the risk of liver abscesses. This can result in more efficient animals, and a more profitable operation. Proper nutrition from birth can help to overcome these challenges, ensuring the growth and health of beef cross calves.
1. Foraker, A. B., M. A. Ballou, and D. R. Woerner. 2022. Crossbreeding beef sires to dairy cows; cow, feedlot, and carcass performance. Transl. Anim. Sci. doi: 10.1093/tas/txac059
2. Herrick, R. T., C. L. Rogers, T. J. McEvers, R. G. Amachawadi, T. G. Nagaraja, C. L. Maxwell, J. B. Reinbold, and T. E. Lawrence. 2022. Exploratory observational quantification of liver abscess incidence, specific to region and cattle type, and their associations to viscera value and bacterial flora. Appl. Anim. Sci. 38:170-182. doi.org/10.15232/aas.2021-02228
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