Episode 340 - Beef-on-Dairy Boom: Why Crossbred Calves Are Winning - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

 Spring calving is underway in Minnesota, and with it comes renewed focus on the booming beef-on-dairy market. In this episode, Brad dives into current calf prices—highlighting the strong premium for beef-cross calves—and breaks down new research comparing Holstein and beef × dairy calves under the same management.

Across studies from Canada and Brazil, crossbred calves consistently showed advantages: lower rates of diarrhea, fewer treatment interventions, improved starter intake, and greater feed efficiency. While respiratory disease incidence was similar, crossbreds recovered faster and required fewer treatments. By 84 days, crossbred calves were heavier and more efficient to raise, reinforcing long-standing evidence that heterosis improves calf performance. The takeaway is clear: beef-on-dairy calves not only bring strong market value but also demonstrate biological and economic advantages during the pre-weaning phase—making them an increasingly attractive strategy for dairy producers navigating volatile milk markets.
 
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