Beef-on-dairy production is helping farmers prosper while reducing greenhouse gases.
How ironic that a commentator’s observation relating to why we eat dairy on Shavuos gives context to a trending dairy industry practice. He notes that milk from the cow, unlike meat, can only be attained if the cow is alive. Meat, however, can only be attained after slaughter. It may be said, therefore, that milk’s symbol of continuous life matches the living Torah.
This idea punctuates the beef-on-dairy model employed by farmers to manage their livestock. By matching dairy cows with beef breeds, the dairy milking cows continue to produce milk while creating calves to go early to market. This practice helps sustain farmers and reduce the carbon footprint.
Beef-on-Dairy Gives Farmers an Edge
Dairy Herd Management reported on how farmers are looking beyond milk for additional revenue. In discussing beef-on-dairy calves that are being sold for as much as $900, Gregg Doud of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) commented, “What an enormous value that is.”
Successful Farming, in discussing the expansion of the beef-on-dairy phenomenon, documented findings from Glen Dolezal, assistant vice president of new technology for Cargill Protein, who noted that some strengths from this crossbreeding include better cuts, enhanced tenderness, and greater yield.
The Wisconsin State Farmer reported that “Some 72% of dairy farms are now incorporating beef genetics into their breeding programs…” Science-based Penn State Extension noted that “CattleFax projects beef on dairy crosses to rise to 5 to 6 million head by 2026 and would comprise about 15% of the fed cattle market.”
The Carbon Equation
Dairy cows produce methane, a noxious gas that’s harmful to the environment. One immediate benefit of beef-on-dairy is to maintain a small dairy cow population while still increasing beef output.
In addition, the young calves go to market early, creating fewer animals in the herd, and herds are responsible for greenhouse gas emissions as well.
Cattle feed can also produce noxious gases. Beef calves grow faster than dairy-bred ones, minimizing the amount of feed needed.
In an article by AgResearch entitled “Dairy-beef offers potential for significant emission savings,” a New Zealand study found that “using fast-finishing systems with dairy-beef animals results in a carbon footprint that is 32-48 percent lower than the average for traditional beef systems.”
Conclusion
By adopting the innovative beef-on-dairy model, farmers are maximizing their available resources to increase revenue. This system also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, a major challenge facing the agricultural sector.