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Dairy beef cross market still developing

A new generation of Holstein beef could offer farmers more avenues to add value to their calf crop.

Dan Schaefer with the University of Wisconsin tells Brownfield less than a year ago the Holstein Association and American Simmental Association announced a partnership that provides an inroad to Certified Angus Beef marketing. 

“Whether any packer will outwardly seek these kinds of cattle for their CAB program is probably yet to be determined.  More likely, they’ll just consider these cattle to be black hided cattle just like any other.”

Dams must be registered Holsteins while the sires are registered SimAngus and Schaefer says the value of sexed semen over calf prices will be crucial to its success.

“If that’s the case, then it’s a winner.  The added value paid for that newborn calf might be $200 rather than $75 or $60.”

He says the market for HolSim beef is still immature and the best current arrangement would be for farmers to sell to calf raisers vertically integrated into cattle feeding that are aware of their value.

Holstein steers and culled dairy cows account for about 20 percent of the nation’s beef supply.

Brownfield interview during the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference. 

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