I’ve been within the dairy enterprise all my life. My dad and mom, Pat and Peggy, launched Sustaire Dairy right here in Winnsboro, Texas again in 1966, and whereas I used to be rising up, they anticipated me to pitch in wherever and each time I might. In 1990, I purchased 17 heifers of my very own so as to add to our 100-head operation. Immediately, my son Garrett and daughter Jordan signify the third technology of Sustaire Dairy.
Mark Sustaire, CBB member
All through my almost 33 years within the dairy enterprise, quite a bit has modified. There are a lot bigger operations, fewer small family-owned dairies, computerized milking know-how and evolving shopper preferences, simply to call a number of. One other main distinction is that dairy cattle have grow to be a daily a part of the combo in at the moment’s beef advertising chain.
Most shoppers don’t notice that the dairy and beef industries have been working collectively for years, with dairy steers fed for beef manufacturing. In truth, since 2002, the share of dairy beef contributing to the whole U.S. beef provide has ranged from 18 to 24 %1. To assist the dairy business profit from the Beef Checkoff’s promotion, analysis and schooling skills, dairy producers – myself included – serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB), at present holding 12 % of the seats.
Because the dairy local weather continues to evolve, the follow of crossbreeding dairy cows with beef genetics is turning into more and more widespread. In consequence, it’s estimated between 2.5 million and 5 million beef-on-dairy cross calves will probably be born this yr, and people numbers will possible proceed on the identical stage in 20232. Along with dairy and beef crossbreds, dairy completed steers, cull cows and completed heifers all produce beef for the whole provide.
Nevertheless, some beef producers are involved that beef-on-dairy crossbreeding has the potential to take market share away from “conventional beef.” As a dairy producer on the CBB, I perceive that concern. Nevertheless, the U.S. dairy herd stays constant at round 9.3 million head, and dairy producers want a excessive variety of alternative heifers frequently to maintain their operations up and operating. For these causes, it’s unlikely that the variety of beef-on-dairy cattle will develop to the purpose that they’d affect conventional beef’s dominant place within the market.
Whereas the crossbreeding development shouldn’t be considerably altering the variety of calves and feeders within the feedyard, what’s altering is the standard of the meat these cattle present. Dairy producers are getting increased market worth for these calves, and shoppers each right here within the U.S. and overseas profit by having extra Selection- and Prime-graded beef obtainable for buy.
Moreover, beef-on-dairy crossbreeding can profit your entire beef business whereas additionally lowering beef manufacturing’s environmental affect. Researchers from Cargill and Nestle have recorded these findings3:
- Beef-on-dairy calves present high-quality beef with out impacting milk manufacturing efficiencies.
- Feedyard operators get pleasure from larger entry to value-based advertising alternatives as a result of they’ve extra higher-grade beef carcasses obtainable.
- Beef-on-dairy calves additionally display larger feed effectivity than purebred dairy calves, reducing greenhouse gasoline (GHG) emissions.
I personally consider crossbreeding could be a win for each dairy and beef producers. These crossbred cattle will help the meat business present a extra constant provide with even higher carcass high quality. And with drought and different elements persevering with to lower beef cattle numbers throughout the nation, we’d like these beef-on-dairy crosses to assist reply rising shopper beef demand. Moreover, the producers I do know who’ve launched their very own beef-on-dairy crossbreeding packages inform me it’s a constructive affect on their money movement with an animal that’s extra marketable than the standard all-dairy breeds.
Dairy producers like me who promote cattle and calves find yourself paying two checkoffs – the Dairy Checkoff and the Beef Checkoff. Our contributions assist additional each dairy and beef promotion, analysis, schooling and knowledge, driving demand for our merchandise. Guaranteeing the dairy perspective is represented on the CBB is necessary, as a result of dairy cattle are a major a part of the meat business.
Dairy farmers and beef producers are neighbors, and we share the identical values, challenges and most of the identical alternatives. By working collectively on the CBB, beef and dairy producers can proceed to uncover larger efficiencies that can profit each industries whereas offering shoppers with extra of the high-quality merchandise they need and want.
- Natzke, Dave. “Let’s Put Dairy-Beef Numbers in Perspective.” Could 2019. https://www.agproud.com/articles/37713-dairy-cow-slaughter-high-but-let-s-put-dairy-beef-numbers-in-perspective
- Brooks, Rhonda. “Beef-Dairy Crosses Proceed to Earn Their Manner.” February 2022. https://www.bovinevetonline.com/information/business/beef-dairy-crosses-continue-earn-their-way
- Cargill/Nestle Dairy Beef Accelerator. https://www.multivu.com/gamers/English/8959132-dairy-beef-accelerator/
