It’s no secret that beef-on-dairy calves are worth a pretty penny. In fact, beef-cross calves have fetched astounding vales of more than $1,000 per head in some markets. And while even average crossbred animals are bringing a decent profit, healthy, well-grown calves are worth top dollar.
According to Sandra Stuttgen, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the best way to add value to beef-on-dairy calves is to communicate their health status with buyers. This entails keeping records of their genetic information, vaccination procedures and any health events the animal incurs.
“Beef cross calves will be on the grill less than 22 months after birth, Stuttgen says. “Marketing wet dairy-beef cross calves with some guarantee of future health and growth performance is an opportunity that no dairy should ignore.”
By TAYLOR LEACH
July 12, 2024
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