To help dairy farmers, researchers suggest raising calves for beef

(Harrisburg) — This year has been tough for midstate dairy farmers. Deans Foods ended contracts with dozens of producers in March, while demand and prices for milk are at a low point.

Now researchers are suggesting another way of generating income for dairy farmers.

There are over half a million dairy cows in Pennsylvania and each one gives birth to a calf every year, so they will continue to produce milk.

The female calves can be raised to eventually replace their mothers, but most dairy farmers have no use for male calves, and so they’re almost immediately sold.

Tara Felix, a beef specialist with Penn State Extension, said if producers have the capacity, they can raise those steers for beef.

“To diversify their farm economics, so that they’re not relying solely on their milk check but now they have this opportunity to sell cattle as well,” Felix said. 

Felix said she’s not sure how many dairy farms have the capacity to raise steers for beef production.

But, if given the right diet and steroid implants, she said Holstein calves can be raised to produce beef that rivals Angus in quality. She’s been working on a demonstration for three years to show just that. 

And the market for beef might be moving in this direction. 

Felix said only about five percent of beef came from Holstein dairy cattle in 2011, according to the National Beef Quality Audit.

“Jump ahead to this year’s publication– which was findings from 2016– 20 percent of our national beef supply was coming from Holsteins,” she said.