Australia Aims to Process 100,000 Beef-on-Dairy Cattle by 2030

Australia's beef-on-dairy sector is preparing for a major expansion, with plans to process 100,000 head annually by 2030. This development is outlined in a joint report by FMG Global and McDonald's, titled Beyond the Breed: Unlocking Australia’s Beef-on-Dairy Potential. The report highlights a structural shift leveraging sexed semen and superior genetics to enhance feed conversion efficiency and carcass traits.

The initiative traces its roots to the Accelerating Beef on Dairy conference held in the Yarra Valley in October 2022. The report emphasizes the need for collaboration between the dairy and beef sectors, which have historically operated separately. Connor FitzGerald, FMG Global's chief commercial officer, describes this as one of the most significant shifts in the beef industry this century.

International examples, such as the Buitelaar Group in the UK, illustrate the commercial viability of integrated supply chains. The Buitelaar Group has leveraged beef-on-dairy animals to build the largest integrated beef supply chain in the UK, with a turnover exceeding £200 million.

In Australia, domestic processors are adopting this strategy. Harvest Road in Western Australia is transitioning dairy farmers towards beef-on-dairy crossbreds for its Harvey Beef brand. Similarly, Greenham Australia has established supply chains in Tasmania and Victoria to support the premium grassfed beef market.

These initiatives align with Dairy Australia’s 10-year strategy, “Calfways,” and are supported by data from a pilot program conducted between 2022 and 2024. The beef-on-dairy approach also shows promise in reducing emissions compared to traditional beef production, meeting consumer demand for flavor and tenderness.