Beef-on-dairy calf management practices in commercial calf ranches

The number of beef-on-dairy calves being produced has been steadily increasing. Many calves are sent off-site to calf ranches for raising after birth. The objective of this survey was to describe management practices of beef-on-dairy calves in commercial calf ranches. A total of 15 calf ranches were surveyed in 3 regions: the High Plains (n = 7), Midwest (n = 6), and West (n = 2). Operation capacities were categorized as less than 1,000, between 1,000 and 20,000, 20,000 to 50,000, and greater than 50,000 calves. All operations received calves less than 4 d of age. There was a variety of types of pre-weaning housing. Almost all operations fed milk replacer with one operation feeding saleable milk; feeding protocols (timing and quantity) varied among operations. Every operation offered calf starter upon arrival, but formulation of starter differed among ranches. Weaning age ranged between 42 and 72 d with about 53% of operations weaning calves at 60 d or greater. Calves spent anywhere between 0 and 180 d in a group pen setting. Thirty-three percent of operations moved calves through multiple group pens post-weaning. Similarly, 33% of operations transitioned calves through multiple diets once they were in group pens. Most operations fed the transition/grower diet ad libitum, however the ingredients used were variable among operations. All operations administered at least 2 health products such as vaccines, antimicrobials, etc. while the calf was on the property. These results provide important information regarding the management of beef-on-dairy calves at commercial calf ranches.