This episode featured as part of the Livestock and Genetics segment in partnership with Carrfields Livestock.

Beef-on-dairy genetics have climbed towards 15% of CRV’s dairy sales, up from 8% in 2021, with stronger beef prices reshaping mating decisions.

“With the markets the way they are, it’s a no-brainer for farmers to invest in quality beef on dairy genetics,” CRV grass-fed genetics manager Peter van Elzakker says.

Sexed semen is the enabler behind the shift, he says.

“With sexed semen, that gives farmers the opportunities to get replacement calves, because you get 90%-plus heifer calves. So if you know you’re going to get your replacements from that sex semen use, you have more cows available to use beef on.”

With sexed semen use sitting between 5 and 10% nationally, van Elzakker expects beef-on-dairy to pass 20% longer term, short of North American levels where beef makes up more than half of dairy genetics used.

“The maternal traits are not a big issue anymore, like they were 5 to 10 years ago. So that’s been taken care of.”

Growth has to track demand, he says.

“If we suddenly start producing a lot more dairy beef calves, and there’s no rearers and there’s no finishers, then the market will plummet.”

This episode featured as part of the Livestock and Genetics segment in partnership with Carrfields Livestock. To learn more about buying, selling or managing livestock, or to connect with a local livestock specialist, visit carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.

AI-Assisted Content