Angus on Dairy turns dairy cattle into an extra income source

Angus on Dairy is based on the broader Beef on Dairy concept, which calls for a more targeted use of reproduction in dairy herds. Beef genetics are assigned to cows that will not produce the farm’s future replacement females, while the herd’s normal replacement plan continues.

The resulting calves are intended to have characteristics that make them more suitable for finishing and commercial sale. At the Agroleite event, organisers displayed cuts including acém, chorizo and ancho from animals produced by crossing beef and dairy cattle. The presentation was used to show the commercial potential of these animals in higher-value segments of the beef chain.

According to Borges, the challenge extends beyond increasing the number of animals sent for slaughter. Production volumes must be combined with the quality standards required by the premium-beef market. Angus genetics are associated with meat-quality traits and can make animals from dairy herds more suitable for cuts with greater added value.

Mateus Pivato, executive director of the Brazilian Association of Angus, said the genetics could be introduced on farms where the breed has a limited presence. The association presents this as an additional economic opportunity for milk producers who do not currently use this type of crossbreeding.

The system also requires reproductive planning, nutritional management, animal-health measures, accurate mating decisions and an organised sales process. Borges and Pivato identified these elements as necessary for the strategy to produce a financial result for the farmer.

For meat processors, the model adds another potential source of cattle with genetics directed towards premium beef production. The Certified Angus Beef Programme currently has 29 partners and 60 operating plants across 13 Brazilian states: Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, the Federal District, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Tocantins, Pará, Rondônia and Bahia.

Specialist teams monitor the participating plants and assess incoming carcasses against the programme’s requirements. Their checks cover the animals’ origin and the standards needed for products sold under the certification label. The initiative is being discussed as dairy producers face pressure on farm profitability and consider ways to diversify revenue without abandoning milk production.