Episode 357 - From Calf to Carcass: Early Nutrition for Beef-on-Dairy Success - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

Beef-on-dairy calves continue to bring strong prices, but producing calves that perform well from birth through harvest requires careful decisions about genetics and nutrition. In this episode, we look at current Minnesota calf markets, the factors influencing beef sire selection and recent research exploring how early feeding programs affect the long-term performance of Angus-Holstein calves.

A University of Minnesota study compared conventional 20:20 milk replacer with a higher-energy 24:24 formulation. Calves receiving the 24:24 milk replacer had greater starter intake, faster weight and frame growth, and improved feed efficiency through eight weeks of age. The results suggest that supplying more nutrients early in life may encourage—not suppress—starter consumption.

We also discuss an Iowa State University study that followed beef-on-dairy steers from the nursery through harvest. Although pelleted diets produced faster growth shortly after weaning, cattle raised on forage-based total mixed rations performed better later in the feeding period. The low-starch TMR group finished with heavier body and carcass weights, more Prime carcasses and greater carcass value, while the high-starch TMR group experienced substantially more liver abscesses.

The research highlights why early growth should not be the only goal. Rumen health, feed costs, finishing performance and carcass quality all matter when developing profitable beef-on-dairy feeding programs.

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