Assessing Health, Efficiency and Profitability of Growing and Finishing Beef x Dairy Cattle on a New York Feedlot/Farm

The Northeast United States, and New York specifically, has a high concentration of dairy farms. In recent years, dairy farms have transitioned to breeding a certain percentage of their herd to beef breed sires, primarily black hided in nature. In return, this results in a steady and consistent supply of beef x dairy cross calves in the region. Being from an area with a high concentration of dairy farms, this is a huge opportunity for the beef industry in the area as well. Unfortunately, there is a large amount of skepticism in the beef industry regarding the efficiency, quality, and value of this cross. Information is lacking for comparing beef x dairy crosses to native beef.  There is also very limited information on how to raise them in a profitable manner, and what diets are appropriate for growth and health given the resources available to a feedlot system in the Northeast.  Currently there is no data available for growth rates at different stages. In addition, rumination data has not been looked at in BxD cattle, but by tying this information with diet and management factors, we can be the first farm to highlight these comparisons.  According to Dr. Woerner of Texas Tech University, BxD feedlot cattle in other parts of the country have had some health issues and commonly use antibiotics to treat and prevent disease.  Our customers in the Northeast want to know that their meat comes from healthy cattle. We want to be as mindful of antibiotic use and only use them when completely necessary. If beef x dairy cross-bred cattle (BxD) are shown to be cost effective and efficient this could provide a new income stream for farmers, adding to farm sustainability, improving productivity, income and profitability. 

The interest in beef farming is growing in NY, and there are dairy farmers retiring from dairying, but wanting to remain farming. Growing and finishing BxD cattle could be another farm business opportunity for transitioning farmers, new farmers, or farmers looking to add a new enterprise. BxD cattle are available year-round which could stabilize cash-flow, unlike native beef which are more seasonal. This project aims to provide a case study example of growing & finishing a set of BxD cattle, tracking health & rumination data along with diets, growth, and associated economic factors. Providing this example would be the first known study in NY to give a clear picture of the feasibility of growing & finishing BxD cattle in NYS. If proven to be a cost effective solution, this will lead to improved productivity, and increased net income on many beef farms in New York and beyond.