The solution to your bobby calf troubles

Glenn and Sheree Taylor work 320 cows on a 134-hectare farm in Drummond, Southland, New Zealand. Southland has both environmental and legislative challenges, and the Taylors focus on creating good sustainable farming practices.

Like many dairy farmers, one of the key areas of concern for the Taylors is the wastage and perception of bobby calves. Due to this, Glenn strives to reduce bobby calf numbers. His goal is to take what would have been a waste product and use it to create a valuable beef animal that can go on to add value to New Zealand's beef supply chain.

Keeping bobby calves at a minimum not only drives profitability but also improves the perception of the dairy industry. By using value-added beef on his dairy herd, Glenn is also getting a better market to sell the calves, with beef farmers becoming more and more interested in the Danish Blues.

Additionally, Glenn believes that as farming regulations become more rigorous, the next generation of farmers will have to achieve higher yields with fewer emissions. Beef on dairy can offer farmers significant help towards achieving this, and other future-friendly farming goals.

“As we go forward into a more efficient future, traditional beef farming will shift from one cow and one calf to raising high-quality dairy beef animals,” says Glenn. “It will come down to Kg of meat per hectare and beef on dairy is one direction we can head here in New Zealand,” he ends.

For more insights into the Danish Blue breed, listen to our episode of The BreedCast on the benefits of Beef on Dairy.