Cattle Hybrid Coming to Supply Chain

Olivia GEnther Schroeder of Purina points out that there's research being done on developing a beef dairy cow hybrid to be introduced into the supply chain.

“And actually producing a calf that is part beef and part dairy, and really improving the value of what that calf is because it is going to specifically go into beef production.”

She says, from a price perspective, dairy cattle are traditionally half the value of beef steers.

“Holsteins don't fit as well into the beef production system as our typical beef animals would. So when we mix the genetics, we maintain really good things that come from the Holstein breed, which like marbling, but we bring in reduced days on feed and increased carcass yields that allow for an animal that is produced as a part of the dairy industry, but actually fits much better into the beef industry at the end of the day, traditionally, dairy cattle have a longer lifespan than beef cattle that is due in part to export restrictions allowing only beef cuts from younger cattle to enter Markets, primarily as a food safety precaution.”

Genther Schroeder explains how this would work with a beef dairy hybrid situation.

“Depending on how we feed them and how we manage them, we can certainly get them to harvest by 13 to 14 months of age, maybe a little bit longer than you would with a native beefs here. That's one of the things that bringing in beef to Mike says, Is it really reduces that days on feed, and actually reduces the age at which that animal is ready for harvest once again.”

Purinas, Olivia, Genther, Schroeder.