Beef-on-Dairy enters a new phase as farmers breed for value beyond the farm gate

CRV Manager Grass-Fed Genetics Peter van Elzakker says mating dairy cows to beef sires is becoming an increasingly important part of farmers’ breeding strategies, helped by strong beef prices, greater use of sexed semen and better-quality information. 

“Farmer interest in beef-on-dairy continues to grow and it is now one of the fastest growing insemination segments,” he says. “The strong beef market has made the opportunity much more visible. Farmers are becoming more discerning about the genetics they use and increasingly recognise the value that can be created from a beef-on-dairy calf.”

Industry figures¹ show beef breeds now account for around 12% of dairy inseminations nationally, putting them at a similar level to Jersey. CRV is tracking above the industry average, with beef semen for use over dairy cows making up just under 15% of genetics sold last season, compared with 8% in 2021. Year to date, CRV’s beef-on-dairy sales are 6% ahead of the same time last year and are expected to account for around 16% of total sales by season end.

An increasing number of farmers are using sexed semen and more accurate herd information to target the cows they want to breed replacements from, and which are mated to beef. Better breeding value predictions through genomic testing like myDNA, along with tools such as mating plans, are giving farmers more confidence to make those decisions.

As a result, mating dairy cows to beef sires is becoming an intentional part of their breeding strategy, rather than something farmers simply turn to at the tail end of mating. 

“When you’re using sexed semen and want to minimise progeny from your bottom quartile, or even the bottom 50% of your cows, beef-on-dairy becomes a really good tool in your breeding plan,” Peter says.

Mating dairy cows to beef sires is becoming a deliberate breeding decision, with greater consideration given to the potential of the animal produced. 

“Five years ago, the focus when mating dairy cows to beef sires was mainly on maternal traits, like low birth weight, days in milk, easy calving and gestation length, and what was good for the dairy farmer.

“Producing a quality product for the rearer and grower-finisher wasn’t really considered. That has certainly shifted, with much greater emphasis now on the calf’s growth and performance beyond the dairy farm.” 

A good beef sire selected for use over dairy cows needs to do more than produce an easy born calf. It also needs to produce an animal with the growth and performance to be worth rearing and finishing, Peter says. 

Peter says producing a beef-on-dairy calf is only part of the equation. There also needs to be a market and a pathway for that animal beyond the dairy farm.

CRV is broadening the range of genetics it offers for different farm systems and market pathways, while focusing on what delivers value for dairy farmers. It is working with specialist beef breeders including longstanding suppliers Kakahu and Bluestone and, more recently, Rissington Cattle Breeding Company. 

“Our strategy is to work with a wider group of breeders that can give us quality products that meet different farmer needs,” Peter says.

“With the increased interest, we are expanding our portfolio, not so much by adding more breeds, but by giving farmers more choice depending on their herd, breeding goals and what they intend to do with the calf.”

As mating dairy cows to beef sires becomes a more deliberate part of breeding strategies, farmers also have more information and options available to help them select genetics for the outcome they want.

The new Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms beef-on-dairy programme, which includes qualifying CRV genetics, is one example among a number of initiatives developing in the sector.

Peter says one of the most important considerations this mating season is what farmers ultimately intend to do with their beef-on-dairy calves.

“Are they rearing them themselves? Are they selling them through the yards, or do they have a designated buyer? Once you understand that, you can work out what genetics you need.”

He says the key is to work backwards from the outcome farmers want.

“The aim is to choose genetics that work for the dairy farmer at calving, have strong market value and also deliver the growth and performance rearers, finishers and processors are looking for.

“By making those decisions deliberately at mating, farmers can produce calves with greater value and a clearer pathway beyond the farm gate.”