What Happened
The cattle market has seen significant changes recently, particularly with the rise of dairy × beef crossbred steers. This trend is reshaping feeder cattle supplies across the country, as dairy producers increasingly breed dairy cows to beef sires to enhance the value of non-replacement calves. A study by Oklahoma State University evaluated the profitability of beef steers compared to dairy crossbred steers in both calf-fed and yearling-fed finishing systems.
Why It Matters
The study revealed that while beef steers gained faster than dairy crossbred calves during grazing, yearling-fed cattle outperformed calf-fed cattle, regardless of breed. Notably, dairy crossbred yearlings exhibited the highest average daily gain in feedlots, demonstrating compensatory gain that offset prior weight differences relative to beef steers. This information is crucial for producers and investors in the cattle industry as it influences breeding and feeding strategies.
What’s Next
As the demand for dairy × beef crossbred steers continues to grow, producers may need to adapt their practices to maximize profitability. The ongoing analysis of cattle performance in various feeding systems will likely inform future breeding decisions and market strategies. Additionally, the recent cattle sales at the Roma Saleyards, where steers fetched competitive prices, indicate a robust market for quality cattle, further emphasizing the importance of understanding these trends.
