Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast. Today we're
diving into the costly mistake that's happening
on dairy farms across the country, the obsession
with black -hided calves at the expense of real
genetic performance. Are you throwing away thousands
of dollars in potential profits with every breeding
decision on your dairy farm? What if I told you
that those cheap black Angus straws you've been
using could actually be economic suicide for
your operation? The numbers tell a shocking story.
Since 2017, US beef semen sales have skyrocketed
by 6 .5 million units, while Holstein semen sales
plummeted by 6 .3 million units. This massive
shift has created a temporary market advantage,
but those cheap black -hided beef semen straws
aren't the bargain you think they are. While
a generic black cross calf might fetch you $150
to $200 at birth compared to just $25 to $50
for a Holstein bull calf, premium beef crosses
selected for the right genetics can command $225
to $250 per head. But that's just the beginning
of the profit difference. In the next 20 minutes,
I'll explain why those black calves in your pen
might actually be Holstein steers in disguise,
how proper genetic selection can improve your
daily gain by up to 25%, and the specific traits
you should be demanding from your semen representative.
Let's dive in. Okay, folks, gather around because
we've got some data that's been kind of bugging
us. And frankly, it's hard to ignore. Yeah. We're
talking about a... pretty big change since 2017.
I mean, beef semen sales have gone up, you know,
a whopping six and a half million here in the
U .S. Wow. While Holstein semen sales have just
tanked, you know, down 6 .3 million. Really?
I mean, those are some serious numbers, folks,
not just little blips on the radar. This is like
the whole dairy landscape is shifting. Yeah.
So you listening out there, I got to ask, are
you part of this whole trend? Are you breeding
for those black calves? Well, it's a pretty natural
response to how the market's been behaving, wouldn't
you say? Absolutely. I mean, who wouldn't be
drawn to the promise of better prices for those
beef on dairy calves? Right. It seems like easy
money at first. You just get that black hide
and you're golden. Yeah. But that's where things
get a little tricky. We might even call it black
hide blindness. Ooh, catchy. Yeah. A little dramatic
maybe. Yeah. But it really highlights this narrow
focus we're seeing. Yeah, it does. And the problem
with that laser focus on just color. Yeah. is
that we forget about the things that really matter
for a profitable herd. We get so fixated on the
black hide that we kind of forget about what's
underneath it. Exactly. The genetics that drive
growth efficiency and carcass quality, those
are what determine the real value in the long
run. Bingo. And that's why we're here today.
We're not just going to throw numbers at you.
We want to dig deep and figure out why these
numbers are what they are. And more importantly,
what it all means for your bottom line. Exactly.
We've gone through a ton of research and industry
data to give you the full picture so you can
make smart reading decisions that go beyond just
what color that calf is going to be. That's right.
We want you to have the knowledge to navigate
this market strategically, not just react to
it. Exactly. You know, it's about seeing past
that initial price difference and understanding
what drives profit in the long haul. OK, so let's
dig into this whole beef on dairy premium thing.
It's the epicenter of this shift, wouldn't you
say? What really kicked things off? Well, I think
the turning point was back in 2017, 2018, when
the big meat packers, they basically stopped
buying Holstein steers. Oh, wow. You know, as
a primary product. Yeah. That really tanked the
demand and, of course, the market value for those
steers. Right. So a pretty standard option for
some of those bull calves just kind of vanished.
Yeah. It wasn't viable anymore. The price just
didn't make sense. That must have been a shock
to the industry. Oh, it was a big shakeup. And,
you know, dairy producers, they're always looking
for a good return. Yeah. So it quickly turned
to beef breeds, especially Ankus. Oh, yeah. With
their reputation for those black hides. Right.
And you can see it in the numbers between 2017
and 2022. Beef on dairy crosses just exploded.
They filled that gap. making up almost 70 % of
the animals harvested that would have been Holstein
steers before. 70 %? Yeah, that's a massive shift
in a very short time. That's huge. Yeah. No wonder
everyone jumped on board. It seemed like a simple
solution, right? Yeah, breed for black, get a
better price. Exactly. But as Denise Schwab from
Iowa State University Extension pointed out,
it's kind of like saying, just find me some cheap
Holstein semen. You wouldn't do that for your
dairy genetics. So why approach beef on dairy
any differently? It's a great analogy. You know,
you can't skimp on genetics. Even if you get
that black calf, it's going to affect its value
down the line. Right. And the market data from
2023, 2024 really shows this. A newborn Holstein
bull might bring in, what, $25 to $50? Yeah.
But a generic black... crossbred calf, you're
looking at $150 to $200. Okay. That sounds like
a pretty good deal, right? It does at first glance.
Yeah. But let's look a little closer at the feeder
calf values. No. You know, those 500, 600 pounders.
Yeah. The Holstein bull is still way behind like
$40 per hundredweight below a beef calf. Oh.
So that's a $200 to $240 hit per head. Ouch,
the generic black cross is better, but still
$15, $20 per hundredweight behind. Okay. So that's
$7 ,520 per head you're losing out on. So just
getting that black hide isn't enough? Nope. You're
leaving money on the table by not focusing on
the genetics. So what are we talking about for
a premium beef cross then? Now those are interesting.
Those newborns are valued even higher at $225
to $250. And as feeders, they're only $512 per
hundredweight below straight beef. So the discount
shrinks to a tiny $25 .72 per head. Okay. You're
looking at a potential four to six times higher
value compared to that Holstein bull cap. Oh.
But it's the quality of the beef cross. Yeah.
The strategic genetic selection that makes the
difference. Right. So that easy money from just
a black hide could disappear pretty quickly.
Yeah. If you're not careful, you could end up
with a calf worth hundreds of dollars less than
a strategically bred cross. That's a big difference.
Yeah. And this isn't just a local thing. Right.
This is happening globally. Yeah, exactly. We
see this reflected in the global market, too.
What are we seeing in Europe, for example? Well,
European auction data from 2021 to 2023 consistently
shows beef on dairy calves valued at 50 % to
200 % more per kilogram than purebred Holsteins
or brown Swiss. 50 % to 200 % higher. So this
isn't just a U .S. phenomenon. Nope. It's a global
demand for a better product. Now, I find it interesting
that Dan Thompson from Iowa State University
seems pretty positive about these. consistently
grading beef -dairy crosses. Yeah. It seems like
when done right, these animals can be a real
asset to the feeder cattle supply. Right. But
the key phrase there is consistently grading.
Yeah. That comes from careful genetic selection,
not just luck. Now, before everyone goes crazy
and buys up all the premium beef semen, we do
have to issue a disclaimer here, right? Absolutely.
Market values are going to fluctuate for all
cattle. Right. You know, they go up and down
depending on the season and the region. Yeah.
So you folks listening, it's crucial to check
with your local livestock markets. Yeah. You
know, see what the current prices are in your
area. Right. What we see as a general trend might
not apply everywhere. Exactly. Okay. So we've
talked about the market shift, the potential
for better premiums and the danger of just chasing
black hides. Yeah. Now let's move on to something
fundamental, no matter what color the calf is,
health and welfare. Right. Black or otherwise
doesn't make you any money. Very true. So we've
seen the potential economic upside. Yeah. But
what are the potential downsides, the things
to be cautious about beyond just the price? OK,
well, one thing that's absolutely crucial is
top notch health management. Right. You know,
if you want these beef dairy crosses to thrive
and reach their full potential. Yeah. We see
time and time again that respiratory disease
is a major problem. Yeah. It's the second leading
cause of death. in those first 60 days of life.
And then it becomes the leading cause after that.
That's a scary thought. It is. And Sandra Stickin
from the University of Wisconsin Extension, she's
got some strong words about the damage even one
case of pneumonia can do. Right, long -term damage.
Yeah, her research shows that just one episode
of respiratory disease in a calf can cause permanent
lung damage. Wow. And that directly impacts their
final carcass weight and quality grades. So if
you don't take care of those calves early on,
it's going to postulate. Exactly. It's a domino
effect. Yeah. You know, a sick calf means a lighter
carcass. Yeah. Lower quality meat and less money
in your pocket. Now, beyond the calf's health,
this trend of breeding dairy cows to beef sires
also raises some welfare concerns for the cows
themselves, right? It does. There was a review
published in PMC in 2023. Okay. And they raised
some important points about using certain beef
breeds on dairy cows. They found that it could
increase gestation length, lead to dystocia,
which is difficult calving, and even higher rates
of stillbirths, depending on the breed. That's
a big deal. It is, and the research really backs
it up. Researchers looked at over 75 ,000 lactations.
Wow. And they found a much higher risk of stillbirth
in calves sired by crossbred beef bulls. How
much higher? About 5 % compared to just 2%. For
Holstein sired calves. So more than double the
risk. Yeah. And it's not just stillbirths, right?
The length of the pregnancy is affected too.
That's right. Almost all beef sires tend to increase
gestation length compared to that average. 277
days we see in Holsteins. Right. For example,
limousine sires added about five days, bringing
the gestation to 282 days, and Wagyu sires even
longer, up to 285 days. Wow. So these longer
pregnancies can really impact your herd management.
Yeah. And the cow's subsequent lactation too.
So the key takeaway here is that it's not just
about getting a black calf. Right. It's about
choosing sires that are known for... easy calving.
Yeah. Especially when you're breeding heifers.
Absolutely. You might get a slightly higher calf
value, but at what cost? Yeah. You could be increasing
the risk and difficulty at calving time. That's
a tough trade -off. It is. You need to find the
right balance. Right. It's not just about the
calf's traits. It's also about the cow's health
and well -being. Exactly. You have to think about
the whole picture. Okay. So we've covered the
market, the premiums, the health and welfare
concerns. Now let's get down to brass tacks and
talk about performance. Okay. Because as we mentioned
earlier, not all black calves are created equal.
Right. There's a big difference between what
we call black Holsteins and those high -performing
beef crossbreds. Yeah, that's a key distinction.
And a lot of the crosses we're seeing now, they
basically inherit the dairy frame and characteristics.
Right, even with that black hide. Exactly. And
the research is clear on this dairy type. Cattle
just don't perform as well as beef types. In
what ways? Well, they generally have lower feed
efficiency, less muscle development, and a lower
dressing percentage. Meaning? Less of that live
weight actually becomes sellable meat. So you
might get that black calf. Yeah. But if it eats
more to gain less weight and yields less meat
in the end. That black hide premium might not
be so great after all. Yeah. And Denise Schwab's
quote really hits home here. Oh, yeah. What does
she say? She said, breeding just for color is
like producing Holstein steers without a market
for them. Oh, right. It highlights the problem
of those tall black crossbreds that don't really
fit in anywhere. They're not what the dairy industry
wants and not what the beef industry wants. So
let's break down these performance differences
with some numbers. Sure. Because this is where
the rubber meets the road when it comes to profit.
Okay. So for average daily gain. A Holstein -type
animal might gain about 1 .4 to 1 .50 kilograms
per day. Okay. Now, a quality beef crossbred
can achieve 1 .62 to 1 .76 kilograms per day.
Wow, that's a big difference. Yeah, that's an
8 to 25 percent improvement in growth rate. And
that means? Fewer days on feed. Right. A well
-bred cross can reach market weight 5 to 26 days
sooner. And with feed costs at $3 .50 per head
per day. Those fewer days really add up to big
savings. Okay, so they grow faster and eat less
for the same amount of gain. What about the actual
meat yield, the dressing percentage? Right, well,
a typical Holstein might dress out at less than
60%. Okay. But a quality beef crossbred will
usually be over 61%. That extra percentage or
two means more red meat yield, which means more
value for the packer and ultimately a better
price for you. And we can't forget feed efficiency.
Oh, absolutely. How efficiently they turn feed
into weight. Right. Well, colony booth crossbreds
are just much more efficient at converting feed
into muscle. Okay. That lowers your overall cost
of gain, making them more profitable to feed
out. And then there's the big one, grading performance.
Yeah. Everyone's talking about quality grades
these days. Right. That's all about the meat
quality. Exactly. And dairy type carcasses tend
to grade lower. They have less marbling, less
of that intramuscular fat. So they don't hit
those high value prime and choice grades as often.
And the beef crossbreds. Quality beef crossbreds
can have 15 to 25 % higher rates of hitting those
premium grades. Wow. And those grades come with
big price premiums. So when you add it all up.
Yeah. Faster growth, less feed, better yield,
higher quality. These aren't just little improvements.
They're huge profit multipliers. And if you're
just breeding for a black hide and ending up
with a low yielding, low quality carcass. Yeah.
You're probably going to see more price deductions
than premiums. That's right. The color might
get you in the door, but performance is what
pays the bills. So this really emphasizes the
importance of breed selection. It's not just
about picking any black bull. It's about choosing
genetics that will actually deliver. Right. And
the data shows some key differences between beef
breeds commonly used on dairy cows. Yeah. For
example, Angus consistently performs really well.
In what ways? They have a high average daily
gain around 1 .76 kilogram a day, and they tend
to reach market weight quickly. Plus, they're
known for producing excellent marbling. and they
have a moderate frame size, which is often what
you want in a beef dairy cross. What about Charolais?
They're known for fast growth, right? Yeah. Charolais
crosses also grow quickly, around 1 .73 kilogram
a day, and have a relatively short feeding time.
They're known for their muscle development and
larger frame, which is great for meat yield.
Okay. But you might need to be a bit more careful
when using them on dairy cows, especially heifers,
because they could have calving difficulties.
And cemental. Cemental crosses are a good all
-around choice, with an average daily gain of
about 1 .68 kg a day and a relatively short feeding
time. They have good growth and a moderate frame,
making them a versatile option. Now, limousine
are also known for good muscle yield, but it
seems there's a trade -off there. Yeah, limousine
crosses do have excellent muscle yield, with
an average daily gain of around 1 .65 kg a day
and a good dressing percentage. Okay. But they
also tend to have a longer gestation length.
And as we discussed earlier, that can lead to
economic losses because of delayed rebreeding
and other factors. Now, there was some research
out of Penn State that really supported the performance
of Angus charolais and cemental crosses in terms
of growth rate and how quickly they reach market
weight. Right. Their study published in the Journal
of Animal Science showed that those three breeds
consistently performed the best. They had the
highest average daily gain and the shortest time
on feed when crossed with Holsteins. And that
point about the longer gestation with limousine
is important. Yeah, those extra days can really
add up to lost money. It's something to consider
carefully when choosing a sire. Especially if
you're aiming for a tight calving interval. You
know, you've got to weigh the pros and cons.
It's interesting what Dan Schaefer said about
the... Amazing challenge of trying to hit certified
Angus beef standards in just one generation of
crossbreeding. Yeah. It shows that it's not a
quick fix. It takes consistent and careful selection
over time to reach those goals. Exactly. Just
using any Angus bull isn't a guarantee of getting
those premium grades. Right. You need to be selective
even within the breed. Exactly. Now, all this
information is great. But this whole beef on
dairy thing is still relatively new and constantly
evolving. Yeah, there's new research coming out
all the time. It's exciting. It is. And it's
great to see organizations like the Iowa Beef
Industry Council funding research in this area.
Oh, yeah. What are they doing? Well, they're
funding a three -part research project through
the Iowa Beef Center specifically to address
the knowledge gaps in beef on dairy production.
That's fantastic. Really practical research.
They're actually following these calves from
birth to harvest. They're feeding three groups
of beef dairy crosses at the Iowa State Feed
Intake Monitoring System, tracking their feed
intake growth and then collecting detailed carcass
data. So they're getting the whole picture. Exactly.
And Gail Carpenter from ISU Extension, she emphasizes
that this is still a new area. Right. And the
goal is to get producers the most up -to -date
information. That's what we need. Yeah. When
will we start seeing some results? Well, the
first group of calves was expected to reach market
weight around March of 2025. Okay. So soon. Yeah.
So we should start seeing some preliminary data
soon and then more as the other two groups are
harvested. Now, it's not just the U .S. that's
doing this kind of research, right? Other countries
are developing tools for beef on dairy breeding
decisions. What are they doing in Ireland, for
example? Well, Ireland has developed a beef on
dairy index. They call it the Buddy Index. Okay.
And this index ranks bulls based on the expected
economic output of their calves, considering
factors like calving difficulty and carcass characteristics.
It's a well -rounded approach. Exactly. It's
not just about one trait. And the Nordic countries
are involved too, right? Denmark, Sweden, and
Finland, they've introduced the Nordic Beef on
Dairy Index, or NBDI. Okay. And their index includes
seven key traits focusing on minimizing calving
difficulty and stillbirth rates and maximizing
carcass value. So they're really addressing those
welfare concerns we talked about. Absolutely.
They're trying to select for both profitability
and animal well -being. These international efforts
really show that beef on dairy isn't just a fad.
It's a serious strategy, and it requires a strategic
approach to breeding. Yeah, these indexes give
breeders the tools to make informed decisions.
Right, decisions that benefit both the dairy
farm and the beef market. Exactly. Now, for some
producers, all this talk of indexes and EPDs
might be a bit overwhelming. Oh, yeah, it can
seem complicated. The article did mention situations
where a simpler approach might be better. Right.
Can you walk us through those? Sure. For producers
who don't have a lot of time or resources to
dive into the genetics, just choosing reputable
Angus genetics with good calving ease is still
a good strategy. Better than just picking any
black bull. Exactly. You're at least addressing
that risk of difficult births. What about smaller
herds? If you're only breeding a few cows to
beef, does it make sense to do all that genetic
analysis? In very small herds, say less than
25 cows, the return on investment for in -depth
analysis might not be worth it. Okay. In those
cases, it's probably better to focus on just
a few key traits and choose a bull with a proven
track record for those traits. And we have to
acknowledge that the cost of premium semen can
be a barrier for some. Yeah, it's more expensive.
The article mentioned a $5 to $15 difference
per straw. Right. And for producers with tight
budgets phasing in better genetics, gradually
might be a good approach. How would they do that?
Well, they could start by using higher quality
semen on their best cows or heifers and then
expand the program as their budget allows. James
Westfield is a great example of this. Oh, yeah,
he's a great example. He started with cheap Angus
semen and saw a small price increase. Right.
But then he really focused on traits like moderate
frame and superior muscling and saw a much bigger
jump in his calf prices. And the best part is
it only cost him about $8 more per straw. That's
a great return on investment. It is. It shows
that even a small increase in semen cost can
lead to big improvements in calf value if you're
strategic about it. So it's not all or nothing.
Right. Producers can start small and gradually
incorporate better genetics as they learn and
see the benefits. Exactly. The key is to move
away from just color -based selection and start
thinking about the underlying genetics. Even
if you're just focusing on one or two traits
at first. Right. Any step in the right direction
is a good step. Now let's talk about turning
all this knowledge into profit. The article mentions
some resources that can help producers make better
breeding decisions. Yes. There are some great
resources out there specifically for beef on
dairy crossbreeding. Like what? Well, the Iowa
Beef Industry Council has funded a web resource
library. And you can access it through the Iowa
Beef Center and the Iowa State University Dairy
Team websites. So it's easy to find. Yeah. And
Denise Schwab, she points out that this isn't
just generic breeding advice. It's tailored specifically
for the challenges and opportunities of beef
on dairy crosses. So it's really practical information.
Exactly. It's based on the latest research and
designed to help producers make decisions on
their farms. The article also has a table that
outlines expert selection criteria for beef on
dairy sires. Oh, yeah. That's a handy table.
Can you go over some of those key targets? Sure.
Well, for calving ease, you want to look for
sires in the top 30 to 50 percent for their breeds
EPD for calving ease. OK. And what does EPD stand
for again? EPD stands for expected progeny difference.
Right. It's basically an estimate of how a bull's
calves are expected to perform for a specific
trait compared to the average for the breed.
So it's a way to compare bulls. Exactly. Okay,
back to the selection criteria. Right. So for
birth weight, you generally want sires in the
bottom 50 % for their birth weight EPD. To keep
those calves from getting too big. Right. What
about the traits for growth and carcass quality?
Well, for weaning weight and yearling weight
aiming for sires in the top 40 to 60%. is a good
balance. Okay. You want good growth, but not
excessively large animals. Right. For ribeye
area, which is a measure of muscling, you want
sires in the top 25%. And for marbling, which
affects meat quality, aim for the top 20 to 25%.
Okay. And for back fat. You want a moderate to
low EPD for back fat to avoid too much fat in
the carcass. So those are some specific targets
producers can look for. Yeah. Gives them something
concrete to aim for. The article also explains
some other important terms like frame score,
rib eye area, marbling score, yield grade, dressing
percentage, and dystocia. Right. It's like a
whole new language. But it's a language that
can help you make more money. Exactly. Understanding
these terms is crucial for making informed breeding
decisions. Now, as we've discussed, this isn't
just a U .S. trend. There's global support for
well -bred beef on dairy crosses. Yeah, the auction
data from Italy is a good example. What did they
find? They found that beef on dairy calves were
selling for 50 % to 200 % more per kilogram than
pure dairy calves. Wow. It shows that there's
strong international demand for these crosses.
And countries like New Zealand and Australia
are integrating beef breeding into their herd
improvement strategies. Yeah, they're using genomic
selection to make those decisions. It's pretty
advanced. It is. And it shows that they see long
-term value in this approach. The auction data
from Canada also supports this. Right. Beef on
dairy bull calves in Canada are consistently
selling for a premium. How much? Anywhere from
$30 to $140 Canadian, more than pure dairy bull
calves. That's a big difference. It is. And that
2023 PMC review we talked about. Yeah. They summed
it up nicely by saying that meat from well -bred
beef on dairy crosses is definitely marketable
as beef. Okay. And while the quantity might be
slightly less than some beef breeds, the quality
is significantly higher than from pure dairy
animals. So it's a win -win? Yeah, you get a
good product that's in demand. Now, the article
did address some concerns that producers might
have about this more strategic approach to breeding.
Yeah, there are always concerns when you're trying
something new. What are some of the common ones?
Well, one concern is that it's too complicated.
Yeah, all the EPDs and indexes can seem daunting.
They can, but the potential benefits are worth
it. And as we said, you can start simple and
gradually learn more. Right. You don't have to
become a genetics expert overnight. Exactly.
And there are AI companies that offer pre -selected
beef on dairy packages to make it easier. That's
helpful. Another concern is the cost of premium
semen. Yeah, it's a valid concern. It is, but
you have to look at the return on investment.
That more expensive straw of semen could lead
to a much higher price for the calf. Right. It's
about long -term profit, not just short -term
savings. Exactly. And then there are producers
who think their current program is fine. Yeah,
they're getting black calves at a decent price.
But as you said, the market is changing. It is.
Buyers are becoming more discerning. And that
price difference between generic black calves
and those high -performing crosses is likely
to widen. So just breeding for black might not
be a good strategy for much longer. Right. The
market is evolving and you have to keep up. So
it comes down to a choice. Do you stick with
the status quo and risk losing out? Yeah. Or
do you embrace a more strategic approach and
position yourself for long -term success? That's
the question every producer has to answer. The
shift we saw from 2017 to 2022 with beef on dairy
crosses replacing 70 % of Holstein steers. Yeah.
That was a huge market transformation. It was.
This isn't a niche market anymore. Right. It's
a major part of the beef supply chain. And those
well -bred crosses offer significant advantages.
Faster growth, shorter feeding, times better
carcass, yield higher quality grades. All of
that contributes to a more profitable animal.
Absolutely. But we do have to remember that those
premiums can vary. Yeah. And they're always subject
to market fluctuation. Right. So producers need
to stay informed about their local conditions.
So the question for you, the listener, is this.
Are you breeding problem calves? Yeah. Or are
you breeding premium crossbreds? Right. Which
one do you want to be known for? Your next breeding
decision is crucial. It is. It could make or
break your profitability. The semen catalog is
open, folks. Choose wisely. Okay, let's recap
the key takeaways from our deep dive into beef
on dairy breeding. Okay. First, genetic selection
matters. Quality beef crosses have the potential
for better growth efficiency and carcass quality.
It's been proven time and time again. Second,
target specific traits when selecting sires.
Yeah. Aim for the top percentages for ribeye
area marbling and maintain a moderate frame score.
Those are the traits that will pay off. Third,
don't forget about animal health. Right. Respiratory
disease is a major threat, so make sure those
calves get good colostrum and proper vaccinations.
Gotta give them a good start. Fourth, the economics
are clear. Investing in premium genetics can
lead to a much higher return. Yeah, that extra
$10 to $15 per straw. could turn into $35 to
$75 or more per calf. That's a no -brainer. It's
an investment worth considering. And finally,
the market is constantly evolving. Right. Those
low -quality crosses are becoming more common.
Yeah. And that means the premium for just any
black calf is likely to shrink. So you've got
to stay ahead of the curve, focus on genetic
merit. So here's a final thought for you. What's
one change you can make in your breeding strategy
right now? to move beyond that black hide blindness
and really secure your future in this market.
It's time to take action. Take some time. Explore
the resources at the Iowa Beef Center. There's
a wealth of information out there to help you
make the best decisions. Thanks for joining us
for this deep dive, folks. It's been a pleasure.
We'll see. That brings us to the end of today's
episode on black hide blindness. Let's quickly
recap what we've learned. First, the market is
evolving. As more poor -quality crosses flood
feedlots, buyers are becoming increasingly sophisticated,
and the price spread between generic black calves
and premium crosses will only widen. Second,
the numbers don't lie. Quality beef crossbreds
achieve 8 -25 % better daily gain, need 5 -26
fewer days on feed, and grade 15 -25 % higher
than generic black crosses. That $10 -15 premium
per straw can return $35 to $75 per animal in
improved market value. Finally, remember that
your breeding decisions today determine your
profitability tomorrow. Ask yourself, are you
producing the next generation of problem calves
that nobody wants, or are you creating crossbreds
that will command premiums for years to come?
If you found this information valuable, visit
thebullvine .com for our full article with detailed
selection criteria and performance data. You
can also find links to our recommended resources
for beef on dairy breeding in the show notes.
Thanks for listening to the Bullvine Podcast,
where we're not afraid to challenge conventional
wisdom when your bottom line is at stake. Until
next time, choose your genetics wisely. Your
future profitability depends on it.