Following on from my article in February last year, we now have some data from dairy cross beef animals from several sources. It is too early to draw significant conclusions but at around 16 months old, animals sired by AI bulls are growing faster than those by stock bulls (1.2 kg/ day compared to 1.0 kg/day. This is being achieved from grazed grass only. Once we have data from finished cattle, we will be able to draw further conclusions.

Many Aberdeen Angus schemes (and likely more in future) now require that cattle are sired by a specific selection of AI bulls. Minimum weights are also changing, from 260kg deadweight at 28 months maximum age, to 270kg deadweight at 26 months.

With beef producers under these added pressures, they will become more selective with their calf purchases. Increased use of beef on dairy cows is a consequence of higher sexed semen usage, giving buyers a greater pool of calves from which to choose.

Outside of the Aberdeen Angus schemes, requirements are less stringent. Spreading risk by using a range of beef breeds may also be wise.

Contact Tom at tommalleson@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office, to see how you could improve your beef system profitability.