Creating a dairy beef supply chain to increase the value and volume of beef and veal products

While often a major component of beef supply in many countries, dairy beef is less commonlyutilised in Australia. Reasons have included a processor belief that dairy carcases were of belowpremium quality compared to beef breed carcases whereas dairy farmers believed that the pricesoffered for dairy steers of similar weight to beef were non-viable. Consequently, many male calveshave been euthanised at birth with others sold within 5 days of age as “bobby calves”. These optionsraise social license and animal welfare concerns, but also reflect the loss of considerable potentialbeef supply.The project evaluated two growth rate pathways (target 0.7 kg/day and 1.2 kg/day) from birth toveal (Hot Standard Carcase Weight (HSCW) <150 kg with 0 teeth) and mature beef (300 kg HSCW)end points. Holstein, Holstein x Jersey and Jersey dairy breeds were evaluated together with lessernumbers of British and European beef breeds. Holstein sub-groups were also evaluated under grassand feedlot finishing together with a further accelerated growth pathway utilising a “Spanish” highcarbohydrate ration program (SDT) and a control Australian formulation (ADT).All pathways produced beef of MSA acceptable quality, at least equal to the beef breed cohorts.However serious non-compliance issues were encountered with the veal that requires further workto enable a successful MSA pathway.