44 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | July/August 2024 beef producers to be able to stay in business because they can still fill pens with something.” Kolk explains that this prevents feedlots from going out of business due to competition over insufficient numbers of beef calves. “We saw a decline previously with high grain prices in ’95 and then again in 2008, where we weren’t getting enough calves and were fighting over them, and some guys ended up shutting down feedlots. Those that stayed in business bought in calves cheaper a few years later,” says Kolk. “The whole business stays healthier when you have a balance of enough supply and demand.” As this aspect of the beef industry becomes more established, Schweitzer believes that selection for beef traits will gain more attention. “I think as calf growers and feedlots get more data back on carcass gradeout and quality, that processors will be a bit more in the driver’s seat in indicating the sires they want used. They’ll want more consistency for processing and selling the product,” says Schweitzer. “The market will indicate preferred sires and producers might get a premium compared to when they are breeding to any run-of-the-mill Angus bull.” As genetic selection for beef production improves and dairy-beef calves continue to offer consistency in availability, more feedlots may be interested in feeding crossbred calves. Kolk’s advice to these farmers would be to do your research and be prepared before filling a pen. “If someone wants to get into it, they should make a focused effort and not just do it haphazardly when a pen becomes available. If you and your staff don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll end up having more issues.” He recommends a stronger vaccine program on arrival, and tailoring receiving protocols for dairy-beef calves. Kolk also notes that due to rearing, these calves may not be fearful of humans, and staff should be prepared to avoid injuries. Schweitzer says that dairy-beef calves are quicker to feed than dairy heifers. “The turnaround on a dairy heifer is about 22 to 24 months, and you can have a beef cross calf out the door at finishing weight by 18 to 20 months old,” explains Schweitzer. Kolk adds that feeders still shouldn’t expect to move dairy-beef calves through the feed yard as quickly as purebred beef calves. “You have to be patient. You get them at 500 pounds and can have them for almost a year or more. Many have a birthday here. We are not flipping them in six months,” says Kolk. “I would not look at it as the holy grail by any stretch. It’s allowed us to grow, but it’s not like we’ve replaced beef. We’ve maintained what we had but added on to our yard because of this opportunity.” BF Livestock *Rebates and/or financing based on the purchase of eligible equipment defined in promotional program. Pricing and rebates in CAD dollars. Additional fees including, but not limited to, taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges may apply. Financing must be through DLL using one of the available financing options. Financing is subject to credit approval. Customers must take delivery prior to the end of the program period. Some customers will not qualify. Some restrictions apply. Offer available on new equipment only. Prior purchases are not eligible. Offer valid only at participating Dealers. Offer subject to change without notice. See your dealer for details. © 2024 Kioti Tractor Company a Division of Daedong-USA, Inc. AMRAA INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES Camrose, AB · 780-673-9593 www.Amraa.ca CRIKSIDE ENTERPRISES Steinbach, MB · 204-326-3431 www.Crikside.ca KEYSTONE KAT Altona, MB · 204-324-5074 www.keystone-kat.com REDHEAD EQUIPMENT N Battleford, SK · 306-445-8128 www.redheadequipment.ca ST ANDREWS PARTS & POWER Saint Andrews, MB · 204-953-0030 www.standrewspartsandpower.ca SUPERIOR FORKLIFT Regina, SK · 306-721-5438 www.superiorforkliftltd.ca THE TRACTOR COMPANY OF NA Osler, SK · 306-239-2262 www.tractorcompany.ca UNIVERSE SATELLITE SALES Rocanville, SK · 306-645-2669 www.universesatellite.com DK 40-58 HP SERIES 20 Unlimited Hour Powertrain Warranty 0% Financing CASH Back Offers
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