"The study demonstrated that using proven sires with high Estimated Breeding Values [EBVs] for calving ease limited calving problems and those with high EBVs for liveweight produced cattle with higher growth rates.
"The use of proven beef sires with high EBVs for calving ease and liveweight over dairy cows has benefits for dairy and beef farmers," Dr Burggraaf said.
The manager of the Dairy Beef Integration Programme, Doug Lineham, said the findings "confirm what we're seeing in the market where dairy farmers are receiving up to three or four times the value of a bobby calf for a quality dairy/beef animal.
"The detail included in the final report provides dairy farmers with renewed confidence that breeding low BW cows to proven beef genetics is the way to go for the future.
"That change to their mating strategy gives them a range of options. They can sell the resulting calves to a rearer, at the yards or grow them on to 100kg if they have surplus land. And even if they opt to put them on the bobby calf truck, the dairy/beef calves will weigh out more than a straight dairy animal."
Doug Lineham said increased use of quality-proven beef sires will benefit:
• Dairy farmers with easy calving, high quality calves worth up to $150 more than bobbies.
• Calf rearers/finishers with faster growing animals which finish earlier and have a high carcass value.
• Meat processors and consumers with an improved supply of quality table beef.
With the dairy mating season getting under way around the country, Doug Lineham is encouraging farmers to read the final report from the Dairy Beef Integration Programme and speak with their advisers about the best option to treble their calf cheque next year.
