Barriers to Utilizing Non-replacement Male Calves in the Australian Dairy Industry: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Male non-replacement calves in dairy systems represent an underutilized economic resource for dairy producers worldwide. Despite this, increasing the practice of rearing non-replacement male calves has significant barriers both in on-farm adoption and practice. Poor neonatal rearing practices, higher levels of morbidity and mortality, and disaggregated production pathways with multiple points of handling, have all been described as barriers to adoption of surplus calf production. To identify the critical decision-determining challenges associated with broader adoption of raising non-replacement stock, and to investigate the whole-of-value chain issues faced by dairy producers to rear non-replacement male calves, we undertook a series of semi-structured interviews with Australian dairy producers to interrogate their key challenges. To achieve this, a constructivist grounded theory approach was used to inform the process of analysis of in-depth interviews with Australian dairy producers regarding their current practices and perceptions. Five major themes emerged from these conversations that were key barriers to on-farm non-replacement calf rearing in the producer group participants. These were: impacts of drought on cost and availability of feed for these calves and the whole herd; the management requirements of non-replacement male calves as an additional workload to that of their current operation; their attitudes and current practices to and surrounding euthanasia; perceived ease of supply-chain access for these calves, and their perceptions of the economic value of dairy-beef product as a return on investment. Understanding the barriers to adoption of non-replacement calf rearing, and addressing the value proposition for dairy beef, can assist increased uptake of non-replacement calf rearing. These findings will allow development of strategies to address these barriers, and extension of viable management strategies to increase adoption of profitable business practices surrounding non-replacement male calf production.

Producer practices and attitudes: Non-replacement male calf management in the Australian dairy industry

“…The questionnaire design was built on previous qualitative findings described by Vicic et al ( 8 ) who identified attitudes and practices surrounding on-farm non-replacement male calf production, euthanasia practices, and producer wellbeing. Through mixed methods research strategies, the outcomes from the qualitative interviews informed the directive of each item developed for the online questionnaire presented in this study ( 20 , 21 ).…”

“…Despite advances, these production pathways are often disaggregated in relation to intensive labor requirements, onfarm calf rearing facilities, and low-value saleable markets. This is also seen in dairy production systems in America and Canada, where similar issues have led to poor calf welfare and lack of adoption of on-farm rearing (7,8). A shift has occurred in societal attitudes towards the practices surrounding nonreplacement male calves and the need to identify alternative strategies to rear, process, and market a viable and economically sustainable dairy beef product.…”

“…In Australia, dairy producers have highlighted their intention to continually improve production practices for rearing of non-replacement male calves; however, our previous work and that of others have identified that the lack of economically sustainable dairy beef pathways can still lead to unavoidable euthanasia ( 8 , 12 ). Similarly, internationally, the realities of overcoming supply-chain issues are complex ( 13 ), and no industry-wide solutions exist for producers to have reliable pathways to market for these animals ( 12 ), leaving euthanasia uncommon, but still practiced.…”

“…While it has been identified by producers that in some cases, euthanasia is morally right, for example, where retention of these animals may lead to poorer welfare outcomes, these practices still create a moral tension for those involved. The impacts of these practices in the dairy industry are still largely unknown ( 8 , 17 ). Secondary trauma caused by repeated decisions to euthanize healthy animals has been associated with burnout, moral injury, and, in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder ( 3 , 18 ).…”

Veterinarian perceptions on the care of surplus dairy calves

“…surplus locally" (F7P2). Australian dairy producers have expressed the desire to access improved markets for surplus calves, and producers who reported having well-established sale options had more success in selling their calves (Vicic et al, 2022). Proposals of alternative rearing options for surplus dairy calves in the United Kingdom have suggested the increased use of these calves for beef production (Rutherford et al, 2021).…”