Health and Performance of Dairy Beef to Be Featured at Feedlot Forum 2025

Nov 26, 2024

Dairy-beef crossbreds are gaining in popularity, yet some producers are unsure how that might work in their herds. Garland Dahlke, research scientist with the Iowa Beef Center, will present research he conducted the past 18 months examining the nutrition, health, and performance of dairy crossbred calves. His presentation is one of five at Feedlot Forum 2025 on January 14 in Sioux Center.

Beth Doran, Iowa State University extension beef specialist for northwest Iowa, said Dahlke was a member of an IBC team studying dairy crossbred calves from the wet calf stage through the finishing phase. The team monitored feed intake, body weight, sickness, and carcass quality. The project was funded by state Check-Off funds from the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

“To reduce the upfront cost for feeder cattle, feedlot producers are purchasing dairy or dairy crossbred cattle," Doran said. "However, dairy crossbreds are not without challenges. These calves are more fragile and may require management differing from that used with calves of beef breeds.”

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Video: Exploring Precision Data in Swine Production - Dr. Janice Siegford

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Janice Siegford from Michigan State University discusses how precision livestock farming data can support pig health, welfare, transparency, and decision making. She explains why data ownership, privacy, consumer perception, and cost sharing must be addressed as technology becomes more common on farms. Listen now on all major platforms.

“Precision livestock farming data can support producers, veterinarians, certifiers, and consumers by enabling improved monitoring, prediction, and decision-making across the entire production system.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Janice Siegford / janice-siegford-24318839 is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University. Her expertise in animal welfare, neuroscience, and zoology supports research on pig behavior, stress resilience, and precision livestock farming. Her work explores early weaning, genetics, and stakeholder perspectives on technology adoption to improve pig care, health, and productivity. Learn more from Dr. Janice Siegford on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.