How dairy farmers can unlock the financial potential of beef calves

As market values soar, it has never been a better time to reap the financial rewards of rearing the best calves possible.

Wider use of sexed semen is enabling dairy farmers to calculate how many replacement heifers they need to support their herd, allowing greater control too when it comes to selecting the remainder of pregnancies for beef production.

There is a strong demand from rearers and finishers for dairy-beef calves so how can dairy farmers maximise potential returns from those animals?

Give beef calf rearing equal priority to dairy heifers

To become a reputable supplier of dairy-beef calves, the buyer needs to have trust in how those calves have been managed, especially so in the first important weeks of life.

Understandably, dairy farmers will prioritise their efforts in managing their heifer replacements as these will remain in the herd and eventually become part of the milking herd.

It means that corners are sometimes cut in the management of beef or dairy bull calves.

However, with these calves now having a greater value and the financial opportunities that presents, that mindset is changing.

Managing beef calves exactly the same as heifers is the best policy.

Create a good seller reputation

Establishing a good seller–buyer relationship will benefit both parties.

It is in a seller’s best interest to have that relationship too as producing good quality calves will attract loyal customers and allow the best prices to be achieved.

Adopt good calf rearing protocols

Calves should be fed colostrum at 10% of their bodyweight within two hours of birth – using a percentage of bodyweight is a good measure when working with different breeds as there can be big differences between dairy and beef calves.

• Test colostrum quality using a brix refractometer – good quality colostrum will be greater than 22% brix.

• Remove calves from the maternity pen promptly to reduce risk of disease transmission from the dam.

• Provide a follow-up feed of colostrum at 12 hours.

• Follow this with transition milk and provide for at least the first week of life.

• Calf housing should meet welfare requirements in terms of hygiene, space, ventilation and drainage.

• Keep bedding deep and clean to provide warmth for baby calves and a barrier against pathogens.

• Always provide good access to fresh concentrates and clean water.

• Calf rearers should always be clean when they enter rearing facilities – use a foot dip to prevent contamination between sheds.

• Feed calves a good quality CMR if this is the feed source of choice – provide the buyer with the current feed plan too as baby calves benefit from as few changes as possible.

• Keep good health and feed records on each calf as this is valuable for the buyer

• Only sell healthy calves when they are fit to be transported

• Avoid any unnecessary stressors – keep change to a minimum to give calves time to adjust and adapt.