This year’s Discover Conference brought together more than 200 experts to take a deep dive into the booming beef on dairy sector. With food demand rising and margins tightening, efficiency is critical. Our efforts impact food production, food security, the environment, and public health; but, most importantly, the future of our farms.
Beef on dairy calves are different
One thing became glaringly clear during this meeting of the minds: beef on dairy calves do not fit the same management practices used for traditional dairy replacements or native beef calves. The good news is that scientists, professionals, and industry leaders are actively working to build a blueprint for success. New research is helping answer some critical questions.
Younger animals are typically genetically superior
Genomic testing remains one of the fastest ways to drive genetic progress and weed out inferior animals. However, implementing a breeding strategy with the oldest half of the herd bred to beef has been shown to make similar growth in genetic merit over time. Dr. Chad Dechow, from Penn State University, discussed research suggesting that younger dams may offer a more favorable epigenetic state, the hypothesis being that the highest producing cows do not necessarily produce the highest milking daughters, as more energy is directed to milk production rather than fetal development.¹
Genetic potential sets the ceiling; management sets the floor
Nutrition and management in the first days of life have a very visible and long-lasting impact on lifetime performance. According to Dr. Pedro Carvalho, from Colorado State University, calves with poor transfer of passive immunity from colostrum were 13 pounds lighter at 180 days of age and experienced a 15% higher mortality rate compared to their better managed counterparts.² Calves that gain the most weight in the first six weeks of life tend to perform better in both milk production and carcass yield later on. This solidifies the importance of a strong start for these animals. Calves that get a rough start will almost certainly never reach their genetic potential.
Feeding frequency matters
Beef calves nurse four to eight times per day while on their dams and are typically weaned between four and six months of age. In contrast, dairy replacements often receive two large feedings per day and are rapidly transitioned to solid feed by around 60 days of age. Dr. Tom Earleywine, with Purina Mills, presented research showing that calves fed three times daily gained 20.7 pounds more through 12 weeks of age.³
His take-home message was clear: the most vulnerable group of animals on the farm tend to draw the short straw as time, labor, and resources are stretched thin. Rushing the transition phase from preweaning to ruminant compromises gut health and predisposes calves to liver abscesses later in life.
Even if calves are leaving the farm as day-olds, investing in tight colostrum protocols and smooth transitions from milk to starter feed pays off, building a reputation for strong, healthy calves that will keep buyers knocking at your door regardless of what the cattle market does.
What beef sires do and don’t change
There is often concern over the negative implications of beef on dairy crossbreeding. Despite some beef breeds having a slightly longer gestation length, using beef sires does not increase calving difficulty, the occurrence of any health event, or reduce performance during the first 60 days of the subsequent lactation.⁴ Beef-sire genetics did, however, significantly influence performance and carcass quality, where much of the added value lies.
Liver health
The exceptionally high prevalence of liver abscesses in feedlot cattle was a major topic of discussion, and rightfully so, as it costs the industry a whopping $683 million annually. Researchers consistently linked liver health to overall performance and carcass quality, reinforcing the importance of proactive management strategies.
A quality study, in cooperation with Texas Tech University, found that while liver abscesses occur in more than 40% of beef on dairy animals industry wide, ProfitSOURCE® cattle showed a dramatically lower incidence at just 6%.⁵ In this study, ProfitSOURCE animals were raised on the dairy of origin from day one through finishing. Their exceptionally low rate of liver abscesses speaks volumes to the consistent nutrition and management throughout their life and circles back to the importance of superior genetics, high quality colostrum, and good passive transfer of immunity at birth.
The bottom line
Beef on dairy isn’t just a trend: it’s a strategic investment. The research reinforces a few key priorities.
- Colostrum matters: Failure of passive transfer reduces growth and increases death loss.
- Feed for growth: Calves fed 3x daily gain more weight early, setting up future performance.
- Manage early life well: Better transitions and nutrition can reduce issues like liver abscesses later.
- Genetics matter: Beef on dairy does not increase calving difficulty, but it does add value through carcass quality.
Whether calves leave as day-olds or stay through finishing tightening protocols from day one pays. The opportunity is clear: raise healthier calves, capture more value, and build a program that performs from start to finish.
Author: Allyse Stafinski, CentralStar Genetic and Reproductive Consultant
References:
¹Dechow, C. (2025). Genetic Considerations for Beef x Dairy [Unpublished].
²Carvalho, P. (2025). Extended colostrum/preweaning nutrition management [Unpublished].
³Earleywine, T. (2025). Beef x Dairy – Start with the finish in mind! [Unpublished].
⁴Basiel, B.L. et al. (2024). The impact of beef sire breed on dystocia, stillbirth, gestation length, health, and lactation performance of cows that carry beef × dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, Volume 107, Issue 4, 2241 – 2252
⁵ProfitSOURCE: Your source for proven carcass quality. (2024). https://www.selectsires.com/article/ss-blog/2024/11/01/profitsource-your-source-for-proven-carcass-quality