Over the last several years, many dairy producers across the country have bred a percentage of their dairy cow herd with beef semen to produce dairy-beef crossbred calves intended for beef. This practice has mainly been a way to diversify producer income in a volatile dairy market. Now, with record-low native beef herd numbers and growing demand for high-quality beef, dairy-beef crossbred programs also have the opportunity to stabilize the beef supply, if done right.
Research shows that early calf care and nutrition have a significant impact on the growth and performance of a dairy-beef crossbred calf. Proper calf care and nutrition in the pre-weaning phase are the foundation of a successful dairy-beef crossbred program that produces a high-quality product for consumers, and it starts before the calf is born.
1. Cow care and comfort
Caring for the pregnant cow is the first step to ensuring that calves are given the greatest chance to reach their maximum potential. Shortly before the calf is expected to arrive, move the cow to a clean, dry and sanitized calving pen to give birth. Make sure the pen is freshly bedded and provide plenty of clean water for the cow. Ideally, as the cow labors, someone should be around to assist with any birthing complications.
2. Calf care in the first 48 hours
Similar to replacement heifers, the first 48 hours of a dairy-beef calf’s life are crucial. Immediately after birth, move the calf from the calving pen into a clean, dry nursery and dip the navel in an iodine solution. Within the first hour after birth, feed at least 1 gallon of high-quality colostrum to provide antibodies to help protect the calf from disease early in life. Additionally, practicing good hygiene and reducing stress when transporting can help get calves off to a strong start and reduce future performance losses.
3. High-quality neonatal nutrition
Optimal nutrition in the neonatal stage is critical for growing a consistent, healthy and efficient dairy-beef crossbred animal. Once the calf receives nutrient-rich colostrum, a high-quality milk replacer should be introduced. By feeding crossbred calves a higher plane of milk replacer with at least 20% protein at 1.8 pounds per day, producers will see better performing calves and decreases in cost per pound of gain compared to calves fed a lower plane of nutrition, i.e., 1-1.2 pounds of milk replacer per day. Similarly, a high-quality starter ration composed of 22% protein should be introduced slowly. Offering milk replacer and starter feed in tandem improves overall pre-weaning efficiency and sets calves up for optimal performance and efficiency post-weaning.
4. Offer clean, fresh water regularly
Regularly offering clean, fresh water to dairy-beef crossbred calves boosts overall calf health by supporting the immune system, digestive function and other vital organ systems. Keeping calves well hydrated is crucial to maintaining optimal growth and performance efficiency.
5. Lengthened pre-weaning phase
When it comes to weaning, dairy-beef crossbred calves are more efficient and perform better when given a longer pre-weaning phase of at least eight weeks. Eating high quantities of starter feed too early in life can lead to damaged gut tissue. Extending the pre-weaning phase from 49 days to 56 days and feeding a high plane of milk replacer encourages the calf to ease into starter feed. Feeding the same starter feed until about 12 weeks old will lead to continued efficiency, muscle growth and performance in the post-weaning phase and ultimately throughout the rest of the calf’s life.
Why is this important?
The end goal of raising dairy-beef crossbred calves is to produce a consistent, heavily muscled calf that will contribute high-quality protein to the food supply chain. Knowing this, producers must focus on supporting weight gain and muscle growth. Research proves that early calf care and nutrition determine the calf’s future growth and performance potential. A mismanaged calf birth can expose them to bacteria and viruses that lead to illnesses, such as bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and other recurring health challenges that negatively impact calf growth and performance. Average daily gain (ADG) and carcass quality, both important performance indicators for crossbred calves, can be negatively affected as well. For every case of BRD, the calf’s quality grade is impacted by 1/3 of a grade point, and ADG is decreased by 0.10 pounds per day.
Calf care is critical at birth and throughout the pre-weaning phase, as the effects of disease-causing pathogens are difficult to reverse as the calf grows.
Similarly, if the calf is fed a restrictive diet or a diet low in essential nutrients, it is a challenge to make up for the loss in growth potential. Neonatal nutrition, like calf care, can impact overall quality grade. As the calf grows, it lays down fat cells in the muscle tissue and develops intramuscular fat or marbling, which is the fat component that gives beef its flavor. When the animal is fed a restrictive or low-quality diet, the body cannot appropriately produce and lay down fat cells, leading to a poorer quality grade. Providing a higher plane of high-quality nutrition in the pre-weaning phase is very important for muscle growth and overall performance.
Regardless of the origin, U.S. consumers want to eat high-quality beef. By focusing on early calf care and nutrition, producers can maximize their calves' growth and performance potential to develop high-quality animals that can help stabilize the beef supply while increasing an operation’s profitability.
References omitted but are available upon request by sending an email to the editor.
