Dairy and beef breed effects on beef yield, beef quality and profitability: a review

Bown,; Muir, P. D.; Bc, Thomson

doi:10.1080/00288233.2016.1144621

Cited by 35 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…In New Zealand and Australia, the majority of male dairy calves are transported long distances to be slaughtered shortly after birth (5). Much of the Irish dairy industry has modelled itself on New Zealand's pasture-based production system (6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Opinions of Irish Beef Farmers Regarding Dairy Beef Integration

et al. 2021

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Background: There has been very little previous research in Ireland on the opinions of farmers regarding dairy beef integration. The need for increased dairy beef integration has assumed a greater importance in Ireland in recent years due to a rapid expansion in dairy production, and associated increase in numbers of male dairy calves born on Irish farms. The objective of this study was to explore beef farmers' views on a broad range of issues related to dairy beef integration, using a survey methodology. The survey was distributed to approximately 4,250 beef farmers via email and 1,203 participated in the study.Results: The sample was composed almost entirely of beef farmers, although a very small proportion also had a dairy enterprise on their farm. Eighty percent of the farmers were concerned with the increase in the number of male dairy calves in recent years. Fifty seven percent of farmers responded that they were not willing to rear dairy bred calves for beef. Limousin, Aberdeen Angus and Hereford were the breeds farmers would be most willing to rear for beef. Good health, breed, and conformation were ranked as the main factors calf rearers consider when buying calves. Expectation of poor profit margin, expectation of poor-quality calves, and price volatility/market uncertainty were the top ranked factors dissuading farmers from rearing dairy calves for beef. The main themes arising from the qualitative question related to beef price/ability to make a profit, breed, and calf quality.Conclusions: While it is concerning that the majority of respondents expressed an unwillingness to rear dairy bred calves for beef, approximately a quarter of beef farmers indicated a willingness to rear beef-sired dairy calves for beef. In the qualitative responses, farmers described how their concerns about calf quality and their ability to make a profit from dairy bred calves would make it difficult for them to rear these calves for beef. Future strategy will have to consider how these challenges can be overcome and the issues of who bears the risks and costs associated with greater integration will have to be carefully considered.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Opinions of Irish Beef Farmers Regarding Dairy Beef Integration

et al. 2021

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“…Looking comparatively at how other countries manage male dairy calves, New Zealand and Australia do not have well-established industries for raising these calves, leading to the majority being transported long distances to be slaughtered within days of birth ( 5 ). For example, the significant increase in New Zealand dairy production since 1990 ( 6 ) led to a focus on traits for dairy productivity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Opinions of Irish Dairy Farmers Regarding Male Dairy Calves

et al. 2021

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Background: There has been very little previous research in Ireland on the farmers' opinions regarding calf welfare issues. Calf welfare, particularly for male dairy calves, has assumed greater importance in Ireland in recent years due, in part, to an increase in the number of dairy cattle over the past decade. The objective of this study was to explore dairy farmers' views on a broad range of issues related to the expansion in the dairy herd.Methods: A survey was developed to capture the views of farmers regarding male dairy calves. The majority of questions were quantitative, and a final open-ended question collected qualitative data. The survey was distributed to ~2,900 dairy farmers via text message and 881 responses were received.Results: The sample was composed almost entirely of dairy farmers, although ~20% also had a beef enterprise on their farm. Fifty eight percent of the farmers were concerned with the increase in the number of male dairy calves in recent years. The EU's abolition of milk quotas, the profitability of dairy farming compared to other farm types, and guidance from farm advisors were the three highest ranked drivers behind the increase in the number of male dairy calves. The three highest ranked options for managing the number of male dairy calves were to increase exports, encourage greater use of sexed semen, and improve the beef merit of these calves. Eighty five percent of respondents stated that individual farmers had responsibility for making changes to the number of male dairy calves. The main themes arising from analysis of the responses to the open-ended question, seeking any additional comments, were breed, beef price, live exports, and sexed semen.Conclusions: Dairy farmers recognized the responsibility they have for making changes in respect of male dairy calves, and many demonstrated a willingness to make changes in this regard. The important role of other stakeholders, particularly suckler (system where reared from calf to beef) farmers, in rearing male dairy calves for beef production was also recognized. However, the issues of who bears the risks and costs associated with greater integration will have to be carefully considered.

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“…Carcass fat score is an integral component of carcass value (Bown et al 2016) and Ladeira et al (2016) stated that genetic factors, age at slaughter, growth rate and gender are parameters that influence the amount and composition of fat. Since young bulls are more efficient at converting nutrients to muscle than steers (Steen 1995) achieving the minimum requirement for fat score for bulls slaughtered at a younger age can be a challenge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alternative finishing strategies for Holstein-Friesian bulls slaughtered at 15 months of age

Murphy

Kelly

Prendiville

2018

AFSci

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The aim was to establish the optimum finishing strategy (FS) for dairy bulls slaughtered at 15 months. Sixty spring-born calves were assigned to one of four FS. The FS were split into two phases; pasture (PAS) from mid-August to housing (P1) and finished indoors on concentrates ad libitum plus straw for 209 d (P2). Treatment 1 (T1) was offered PAS in P1 and 800 g kg-1 barley (BAR), 140 g kg-1 soya bean meal (SBM), 40 g kg-1 molasses and 20 g kg-1 minerals (B) in P2. Treatments 2 (T2) and 3 (T3) were offered 3 kg dry matter (DM) of B per head daily at PAS. In P2, T2 was offered B while T3 was offered 400 g kg-1 BAR, 400 g kg-1 maize meal, 140 g kg-1 SBM, 40 g kg-1 molasses and 20 g kg-1 minerals (BM). In P1 treatment 4 (T4) was offered 3 kg DM of BM per head daily at PAS and 750 g kg-1 BAR, 140 g kg-1 SBM, 50 g kg-1 rumen protected fat, 40 g kg-1 molasses and 20 g kg-1 minerals in P2. Finishing strategy did not affect lifetime average daily gain or carcass conformation. Fat score tended (p=0.0514) to be greater for T3 than T1 and T4.

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Dairy and beef breed effects on beef yield, beef quality and profitability: a review

Cited by 35 publications

References 34 publications

Exploring the Opinions of Irish Beef Farmers Regarding Dairy Beef Integration

Exploring the Opinions of Irish Beef Farmers Regarding Dairy Beef Integration

Exploring the Opinions of Irish Dairy Farmers Regarding Male Dairy Calves

Alternative finishing strategies for Holstein-Friesian bulls slaughtered at 15 months of age

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