A bio-economic modelling comparison of a Friesian Bull-Beef system and a New Generation Beef system with Friesian bulls slaughtered at 10–14 months old

Finishing of dairy-origin calves in an accelerated ‘New generation beef’ (NGB) beef finishing system for slaughter up to 14 months of age has potential co-sector benefits. These include production efficiencies and a reduced number of dairy calves slaughtered at a very young age. In the present study, a NGB system and an 18-month Bull-Beef system were first modelled separately, both purchasing three-month-old Friesian bull calves. Then Mixed systems with varying proportions of both NGB and Bull-Beef animals were modelled. Production, feed balance and profitability were compared, using cash operating surplus (COS) as a profit indicator. In the NGB scenario, double the number of animals were finished compared with the Bull-Beef scenario; however, monthly feed demand was less synchronous with predicted pasture supply, requiring more feed transfer via pasture baleage. The COS for the NGB system was $−571/ha, with less income and greater costs than the Bull-Beef system (COS = $2026/ha). Break-even prices for NGB animals were up to 74% above current prices, but break-even prices were less in Mixed systems with a greater proportion of Bull-Beef animals. Without high price premiums, challenges remain for the NGB systems appeal to beef finishers due to their low slaughter weights and sale prices.

Keywords

Bobby calves, efficiency, veal, accelerated finishing, profit

Citation

Farrell LJ, Morris ST, Kenyon PR, Tozer PR. (2024). A bio-economic modelling comparison of a Friesian Bull-Beef system and a New Generation Beef system with Friesian bulls slaughtered at 10–14 months old. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. Latest Articles.

URI

https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/70892

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