Quality grades - Articles

Know your marketplace: The impact of beef-on-dairy

The rise in quality beef-on-dairy calves for the feeder sector has created stiffer competition for native beef cattle. Accessing all available tools will help beef producers stand out in this new market environment.

April 18, 2024

Adrianne Trennepohl

More and more people are putting beef on their plates at the dinner table, which is driving up global demand for premium beef as a vital source of animal protein.

Meat quality of beef-dairy crosses

While creating beef from dairy supply chains is not a new concept, discussing optimal beef genetics for Holstein cows is a recent and critical need. The rapid growth of beef semen use in dairy herds has added value to beef-dairy progeny, but meat quality consistency is needed.

January 17, 2024

Tara L. Felix and Bailey Basiel

Creating beef from dairy supply chains is not a new concept. For the past seven years, Penn State research programs have emphasized dairy progeny as part of the beef supply chain.

Why are dairy-beef crosses so prominent right now?

The beef-on-dairy phenomenon seems to be here to stay. It’s worth looking at some of the industry dynamics that have led to the dramatic growth of this part of the national beef herd.

July 20, 2023

Zeb Gray

In recent years, the dairy industry has witnessed a significant rise in the number of beef cross calves being born. This emerging trend of crossbreeding dairy cows with beef bulls at a large scale has not been a linear process.

2022 National Beef Quality Audit shows increase in quality and efficiency

May 30, 2023

Allyson Dalton

Key highlights from the 2022 National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA) indicate producers are working to meet the demand for quality and efficiency while maintaining the need to keep safety a top priority.

Fired up for quality beef

April 10, 2023

Cassidy Woolsey

Every month has days to observe and celebrate. Obviously, some are more universal and carry a lot of hype like Halloween and New Year’s. But have you ever heard of the lesser-known ones like National Donut Day or World Chocolate Day?

[Podcast] 2023 NCBA Cattle Industry Convention – Part 1

February 16, 2023

Progressive Cattle editors sit down with guests at the 2023 NCBA Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans.

Stress and its impact on meat quality

April 23, 2021

Alaena Ruth

Most livestock producers are aware that stress can have a major impact on growth, reproduction, handling and temperament. But stress can also affect carcass and meat quality characteristics, including meat color, product losses and palatability.

Online shopping for beef gains traction

April 23, 2021

Gilda V. Bryant

The global pandemic encouraged many consumers to buy groceries online. As a result, grocery stores and the beef industry faced challenges and opportunities as they learned more about virtual shopping.

Balancing consumer wishes with producer profitability

April 23, 2021

Bruce Derksen

So often, we hear about what the average person on the street wants in regard to beef. Hormone-free, organic, grass-fed, natural – just to name a few. But most of these often-well-meaning people have never been on a farm or ranch.