The final report of a five-year study into the use of quality beef genetics in a dairy beef supply chain was released this week, confirming the potential for dairy farmers to produce high-value calves with minimal calving problems using proven beef genetics.
The aim of the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Dairy-Beef Integration Programme was to analyse and demonstrate the benefits and risks involved throughout the supply chain in order to increase the supply of quality calves to the finishing industry.
The AgResearch-led project, led by Dr Vicki Burggraaf, AgResearch Farm Systems scientist, was funded by Beef + Lamb NZ Mid-Northern Farmer Council with in-kind support from LIC and Ezicalve (proven Hereford sires).
The release of the final report provides the detail behind preliminary findings released to the red meat and dairy sectors in early September.
Dr Burggraaf said the beef industry is becoming increasingly reliant on calves sourced from dairy farms, but the sires of these calves have traditionally been of poor or unknown genetic potential for beef production.