The Beef-on-Dairy Revolution: 50% Revenue From Bull Calves?
Source: dairynews.today
The beef-on-dairy practice is transforming dairy profitability, with bull calf sales now providing up to 50% of some dairy revenues.
The beef-on-dairy practice is rapidly transforming the financial landscape of the modern dairy industry, with bull calf sales now accounting for a staggering "somewhere around 50%" of some farms' overall revenue, according to Ken McCarty of McCarty Family Dairy. The market for Holstein bull calves, once considered a low-value segment, now sees long-term prices expected above $700.
Industry experts, such as Dan Basse of AgResource Company, predict strong demand for these crossbred calves due to a lack of 'mama beef cows,' enhancing dairy profitability. The National Association of Animal Breeders reported a 317,000-unit increase in beef semen sales by 2024, demonstrating widespread adoption of this innovative agricultural practice. However, despite this diversification, challenges remain, including labor quality and market volatility, though beef-on-dairy continues to provide a tool for financial stability.
Industry experts, such as Dan Basse of AgResource Company, predict strong demand for these crossbred calves due to a lack of 'mama beef cows,' enhancing dairy profitability. The National Association of Animal Breeders reported a 317,000-unit increase in beef semen sales by 2024, demonstrating widespread adoption of this innovative agricultural practice. However, despite this diversification, challenges remain, including labor quality and market volatility, though beef-on-dairy continues to provide a tool for financial stability.
Key News of the Week
