DAIRY BEEF CROSSBRED FEEDING MANAGEMENT: APPLIED RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROJECT

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1025508
• Grant No.: 2021-68008-34110
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $299,650.00
• Proposal No.: 2020-05218
• Project Start Date: Jan 1, 2021
• Project End Date: Dec 31, 2024
• Grant Year: 2021
• Program Code: [A1701]- Critical Agricultural Research and Extension: CARE

Recipient Organization
UNIV OF WISCONSIN
21 N PARK ST STE 6401
MADISON,WI 53715-1218

Performing Department
DAIRY SCIENCE-GEN

Non Technical Summary
Dairy beef crossbreeding has drastically increased in the dairy industry to help dairy producers better manage animal inventory and increase thevalue of young calves that are fed in beef cattle operations. Feeding management will impact animal growth and feed costs which directly impact profitability for the dairy and beef producers. Feeding also will impact meat quality and eating quality for consumers. However, littleis known about impacts of feeding strategies on dairy beef crossbred cattle growth and the final meat product that consumers purchase.To addressthe lack of information, on-farm extension surveys and research with Wisconsin dairy and beef producers will be conducted along with a controlled feeding study to evaluate how different feeding programs (normal or higher milk feeding; and use of short or long growing period prior to feeding a finishing ration) affect animal growth and meat quality. Based on the research findings and management survey results, extension resources (articles, factsheets, and presentations) will be developed and presented at on-farm workshops, seminars, and webinars to help producers understand current practices and opportunities for improvement. Economic budgeting tools will also be updated to allow producers to make specific budgets for dairy beef crossbreds to help improve profitability. This work will provide applicable information that dairy and beef producers can use to improve current management and feeding programs to increase profitability for livestock producers and support meat processor and consumer demand for meat products from dairy beef crossbred cattle.The overall goal of the proposed integrated research and extension project is to provide both dairy and beef cattle producers with management guidelines, tools, and learning opportunities to improve growth and carcass quality of Holstein beef cross cattle leading to greater profitability for both industries and to improve meat quality for consumers.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

0%

Applied

100%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
302	3410	1010	34%
307	3410	1010	33%
308	3440	1010	33%

Knowledge Area
302 - Nutrient Utilization in Animals; 308 - Improved Animal Products (Before Harvest); 307 - Animal Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
3440 - Meat, dairy cattle; 3410 - Dairy cattle, live animal;

Field Of Science
1010 - Nutrition and metabolism;

Keywords

dairy-beef

feeding

Goals / Objectives
The goal of thisintegrated research and extension project is to provide both dairy and beef cattle producers with management guidelines, tools, and learning opportunities to improve growth and carcass quality of Holstein beef cross cattle leading to greater profitability for both industries.To meet this goal, the objectives of the project are:1) Understand dairy and beef feeding management impacts on production of Holstein beef crossbred cattle to support industry recommendations.To address this, we plan to conduct two projects including: 1) a collaborative project with county agricultural agents/educators to gather management, feeding, growth, and carcass data from commercial Wisconsin dairy and beef producers and 2) a controlled study using Holstein beef crossbred calves from the University of Wisconsin-Madison dairy herd to evaluate calf milk feeding and grower/finisher feeding management.2)Develop an extension program to enable rapid adoption of recommended management practices for Holstein beef crossbreds by dairy and beef producers. Based on objective one data, we will developresources and tools fordairy and beef producers to improve feeding management and animal growth. We plan to provideprogramming to local clientele (workshops, field-days, presentations) in addition to easily accessible resources for producers and consultants across the US (factsheets, popular press articles, instructional videos, and a budgeting tool).

Project Methods
Objective 1: Understand dairy and beef feeding management impacts on production of dairy beef crossbred cattle to support industry recommendations Study 1Dairy Operation Survey:In year one, we will enroll 20 to 40 WI dairy operations that primarily manage the Holstein breed and also crossbreed with beef breed semen. At each farm, we will survey the dairy producer on crossbred calf management including sire selection, colostrum and milk feeding, post-calving care, and calf selling strategy and sale price.Beef Operation Survey:In year one and two, we will enroll eight WI beef operations that purchase Holstein beef crossbred calves and feed the calves out until selling as finished cattle. The three collaborators will identify farms that use an electronic scale to allow weighing at specific times. We will seek to survey operations that vary in feeding management (4 farms using a calf-fed and 4 farms using a grower/finisher system). At each farm, we will survey the beef producer on calf management including purchasing strategy, calf health, milk feeding, housing, grower/finisher feeding management, growth implant use, and indicators of finished cattle. In addition, collaborators will work with farms to gather weights of specific groups at arrival, weaning, start of the finishing ration, and prior to harvest. Feeding data will also be collected to estimate feed costs.AnalysisData from dairy producer surveys will be analyzed to determine simple statistics for qualitative and quantitative questions and used to develop extension reports and factsheets. Data from beef producer surveys will be analyzed similarly. The growth data will be analyzed using a mixed model (Proc Mixed; SAS software version 9.4) to evaluate effects of management.Study 2The study will be conducted at the UW-Madison Arlington and Marshfield Agricultural Research Stations. Calves will be housed in individual hutches and fed milk replacer treatments until weaned at 6 weeks of age. At approximately 10 weeks of age, animals at Arlington will be transported to Marshfield to continue the grower/finisher phase. At Marshfield, 10-week-old animals will be placed in groups of 6 animals (same milk feeding treatment and respective grower/finisher treatment) and remain in those groups the remainder of the study. When a group of animals is approximately 450 kg bodyweight, the animals will be moved to a separate pen to measure individual feed intake, growth, and efficiency for 60 days. At approximately 650 kg bodyweight and with indications of appropriate finish to grade choice, calves will be harvested at a commercial processing plant. A total of 96 calves will be used with bulls and heifers allocated equally to treatments. Individual calf will be the experimental unit in the milk feeding phase. The grower/finisher phase of the study will include 16 pens of 6 calves with 4 pens per treatment and pen considered the experimental unit.Experimental DesignWe will test 4 treatment combinations using a randomized complete block design with a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments.Milk replacer treatments:1) 22% protein/20% fat milk replacer fed at 5.7 L per day2) 26-28% protein/20% fat milk replacer fed at 7.6 L per dayGrower/finisher treatments:1) Calf-fed finish program with finish diet started at 175-200 kg bodyweight2) Grow/finish program with finish diet started at 300-325 kg bodyweightMeasurementsPre-weaning milk feeding phaseDaily feed intake and body weights at birth, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of age will be used to calculate efficiency. Ultrasound imaging of the loin muscle at weaning.Grower/finisher phaseDaily pen feeding and refusal amounts will be collected. Calves will be weighed at the start of the grower/finisher phase for 3 days and monthly thereafter. Pen-based feed efficiency will be calculated based on pen feed intakes and growth measures. Individual efficiencies will be calculated based on the feed intake measured during the 60-day feeding period. Body condition and ultrasound imaging will be used to estimate timing of harvest and provide measures of loin muscle shape. Prior to harvest, bodyweight will be measured for 3 days.Meat quality assessment phaseAnimals will be harvested with hot carcass weight and dressing % collected and after a 24-hour chill, USDA carcass quality and yield grade factors will evaluated. At fabrication, a subset (n=12) of the rib from carcasses will be chosen to represent the 4 treatments. The subsection will be evaluated for color, shear force, cook loss, shelf life, and sensory tenderness, juiciness and flavor characteristics.Planned AnalysisData will be analyzed as a randomized complete block design using a mixed model (Proc Mixed; SAS software version 9.4) to evaluate the fixed effects of the milk feeding program and grower/finisher feeding strategy. Analysis will be conducted for each phase and the final study results. For the pre-weaning phase, individual calf will be the experimental. For the grower/finisher phase, pen will be the experimental unit. Individual feed intakes and efficiency measures will be analyzed with individual animal considered the experimental unit. Objective 2: Develop an extension program to enable rapid adoption of recommended management practices of dairy beef crossbreds by dairy and beef producers Based upon research in Objective one, we will develop recommendations for feeding and management of dairy beef crossbreds.Extension White Paper and FactsheetsAn extension white paper with detailed and applicable results of the project, along with feeding and management recommendations can be easily understand and adopted. Short 1-page factsheets pertaining to the research results and recommendation to concisely provide information.Technology Transfer ArticlesArticles for dairy and livestock popular-press publications to expand the outreach of knowledge.Educational WorkshopsDuring project years two and three, on-farm workshops will be conducted to engage dairy and beef producers and provide education on current best management practices and updates on research results. Workshops will also allow for guided discussion among producers to enhance farmer-to-farmer learning.During project year three, a regional Cattle Feeder Workshop series will be conducted with 6-8 locations across WI. Results from the current project will be key information presented with emphasis on feeding strategy impacts on growth and carcass composition, and economics. To bring additional expertise an invited speaker with significant applied research experience with dairy beef production will be part of the program.Extension Seminars and WebinarsPresentations will be delivered at local and regional extension events organized by UW-Madison Extension personnel across WI. Extension webinar presentations (live and recorded) will be conducted to allow more flexible and wide-spread interactions for those are not able to attend in-person seminars. Webinars will be offered free of charge.Economic Analysis of Research ResultsUsing feed intake, growth, and carcass results, an economic analysis will be conducted. Income over feed costs and yardage will be calculated based upon feed intake, feed costs, days on feed, and sales information. In addition, scenarios with different days on feed and costs will be simulated.Budgeting ToolA modification of the Extension dairy steer feed budgeting tool will be made based on the results to include specific feed and growth estimates.Evaluation of Extension Program-To evaluate effectiveness of our extension program and change in knowledge and actions, we will track participation at the on-farm workshops, seminars, and webinars with feedback solicited after each event to determine increases in knowledge, additional information desired, and anticipated changes to management. Website access and downloads of extension resources will be tracked to evaluate more wide-spread usage of project results.

Progress 01/01/21 to 12/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of the work throughout the duration of the projectincludes dairy producers, beef producers, animal nutritionists, meat processors, Extension/outreach staff, and other researchers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The research has provided training for one Master's level graduate student (Alyssa Seitz). Alyssa was trained on research data collection including sampling, animal measurements, use of ultrasound for muscle/fat measures, meat fabrication/processing, and meat quality analysis. She was alsoprovided training via courses including biochemistry, statistics, and animal nutrition, and presented research project data at multiple conferences. Alyssa has completed her thesis defense and is now working in agricultural education. Extension staff involved in the project also had professional development in completing the on-farm data collections and presenting results at multiple conferences during this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been presented at regional and international conferencesincluding two scientific/extension focused conferences and six producer-focused meetings. Extension workshop meetings focused on dairy beef cattle management were conducted at four locations in Wisconsin with an expert in dairy beef crossbred nutrition invited to present results at all locations. Results have also been reported in one peer-reviewed journal article, three Extension articles, and one popular press article. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Project 1 - On-farm data collection from dairy and beef producers raising dairy beef crossbred cattle Impact statement: Results from this work benefitted dairy producers by improving knowledge about beef sire selection which leads to greater cattle growth and carcass yield, and improved value ofcrossbred calves when sold. The results directly benefited participating beef producers by providing data back to improve feeding and animal management. By improving the yield of carcasses from dairybeef crossbred cattle, this benefits beef producers by increasing the carcass value and income while also increasing supply of highly nutritious protein for consumers. -Data collected from Wisconsin dairy farms to understand dairy beef crossbred calf management were processed and published in a peer-reviewed journal article available to the public. Key takeaways from the data include the high prevalence of beef semen use on dairy cows (up to 50% or more for cow breeding) and the low use of selecting for beef siresbased on growth and muscling. These results show there is a great potential to improve the selection process for beef siresused for breeding dairy cattle to thus improve the calf's growth and carcass.Data have been presented by Extension staff at local/regional meetings and published in several publications (peer-reviewed journal, industry magazines, and Extension website). -An on-farm data collection project was completed with 2beef farms providingcattle and carcass weights to understandcattle performance. The data was used by the participating farms to understand variation in dairy beef crossbred cattle growth and opportunities to improve feeding management. One of the beef farms decided to stop growing the crossbred calves born at their dairy farm, and instead sell them at a younger age based on improved profitability for that farm. A key takeawayfrom the on-farm data was the consistently greater growth andcarcass weightof steers (castrated male cattle) compared to heifers (female cattle) which may make it plausible to use sex-sorted semen to produce more male calves to improve carcass yield and meat production. Another key takeaway was the high rate of liver abscesses (35% of cattle) observed when harvesting cattle from one of the farms which indicated rumen (stomach) acidosis andis likely due to the high grain and low fiber content of the dietand the easy to sort nature of the diet that allowed cattle to avoid eating the chopped corn stalks. Based on the liver abscess observations, the farmer took immediate action to adjust the diet to reduce liver abscess incidence. The data arebeing used by Extension staff to develop educational programs to address feeding management opportunities observed on participating farms. Project 2 - Controlled research study evaluating feeding management for dairy beef crossbred cattle Impact Statement:Results from this project has resulted in changes in knowledge for beef producers and nutritionistswho will use the results to improve feeding management of cattle they produce.The improved management of dairy beef crossbred cattle will result in increased carcass yield which improves availability of beef to the consumer and should help control rising meat prices, especially under the current limited supply of beef. -A total of 96 dairy beef crossbred cattle were part of the study to evaluate different milk replacer programs and finish feedingmanagement. Cattle were followed from birth through the entire growing/finishing phase with routine animal and feed measurements taken. Cattle werethen harvested at a meat packing plant collaborating on the project (American Foods Group, Green Bay, WI) to measure carcass yield and meat quality measurements. A key takeaway from the calf phase isthat the milk replacer programs had no effect on the calf's weight at 7 weeks of age due to the calf being able to quickly increase solid food intake after weaning. For the growing/finishing phase, we found similar results to the on-farm data collection withsteers havinggreater growth rates, finish weight, and carcass weightthan heifers. Heifers mayhave potential tobeharvested at an earlier age and lighter weight to achieve an optimal marbling or fat content before depositingexcess fat. An interesting and potentially very useful observation from this study was the low incidence of liver abscesses (4% of cattle) across all feeding treatments likely due to the moderate digestibility of the corn grain used, moderate fiber content, and difficult to sort nature of the forage included(finely chopped corn silage). Data have been used for presentations at regional and international scientific meetings. The graduate student assistant has completed and defended her thesis based upon this research project. Objective 2: Extension of project results Impact Statement:Results of project objective one was presented to stakeholders atseveral meetingsthroughout the project resulting in changes in knowledge regarding feeding management and application of resultsby producers. The application of results by producers will result in improved dairy beef crossbred management, growth, carcass, and value for the producers and consumers. Based upon the results of on-farm dairy and beef producer research, the project team published three extension articles and one peer-reviewed article.Data was also presented at multiple regional and internationalmeetings to both producers and scientific community stakeholders. Workshop meetings were conducted in summer 2024 at four locations in Wisconsin with attendees primarily being dairy and beef producers seeking information on how to improve dairy beef crossbred management.

Publications

Progress 01/01/23 to 12/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of the work in the past year includes Extension faculty/staff, dairy farmers, beef farmers, nutritionists, academia, and the meat processing industry. Changes/Problems:The project was extended through December 31, 2024 to allow completion of objective 2 in which we will have dairy and beef producer-focused workshops to present research results and have an invited speaker present on dairy-beef feeding management. Also during this time, the graduate student will completer her degree, prepare the feeding project research results for publication in a journal. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The research has provided training to one Master's level graduate student (Alyssa Seitz). Alyssa is being trained on research data collection including sampling, animal measurements, use of ultrasound for muscle/fat measures, meat fabrication/processing, and meat quality analysis. She is also being provided training via courses including biochemistry, statistics, and animal nutrition, and presented research project data at multiple conferences. Alyssa has completed her thesis defense and plans to graduate in May 2024 and continue working the agriculture industry or education. Extension staff involved in the project also had professional development at multiple conferences presenting on-farm survey data collected during this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been presented at regional and international conferences in the past year including two scientific/extension-focused conference and six producer-focused meetings. Results have been reported in one peer-reviewed journal article, three Extension articles, and one popular press article. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To complete the goal for objective 1, we will submit peer-review journal articles based on data collected from the Project 1 feeding study. To complete the goal for objective 2, we are planning to hold four workshops across Wisconsin to deliver programming focused on dairy beef cattle management and feeding.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The goal of this integrated research and extension project is to provide both dairy and beef cattle producers with management guidelines, tools, and learning opportunities to improve growth and carcass quality of Holstein beef cross cattle leading to greater profitability for both industries. To meet this goal, the objectives of the project are: Understand dairy and beef feeding management impacts on production of Holstein beef crossbred cattle to support industry recommendations. To address this, we plan to conduct two projects including: 1) a collaborative project with countagricultural agents/educators to gather management, feeding, growth, and carcass data from commercial Wisconsin dairy and beef producers and 2) a controlled study using Holstein beef crossbred calves from the University of Wisconsin-Madison dairy herd to evaluate calf milk feeding and grower/finisher feeding management. Develop an extension program to enable rapid adoption of recommended management practices for Holstein beef crossbreds by dairy and beef producers. Based on objective one data, we will develop resources and tools for dairy and beef producers to improve feeding management and animal growth. We plan to provide programming to local clientele (workshops, field-days, presentations) in addition to easily accessible resources for producers and consultants across the US (factsheets, popular press articles, instructional videos, and a budgeting tool). What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Project 1 -Data collected from Wisconsin dairy farms to understand dairy beef crossbred calf management were processed and published in a peer-reviewed journal article available to the public. Data have been presented by Extension staff at local/regional meetings. -On-farm data collection project from 2 beef farms continued in the past year with farms providing cattle and carcass weights for understanding cattle performance. The data are being used by participating farms to understand variation in dairy beef crossbred cattle growth and opportunities to improve feeding management. The data are being used by Extension staff to develop educational programs to address feeding management opportunities observed on participating farms. Project 2: -A total of 96 dairy beef crossbred cattle were on study in the past year. The finishing and harvesting phase was completed with cattle harvest at a meat packing plant collaborating on the project (American Foods Group, Green Bay, WI). Meat quality measurements and sensory taste panels were completed to evaluate consumer preference. Data were used for presentations at regional and international meetings. The graduate student assistant completed and defended her thesis with graduation in May 2024. Objective 2: Three extension articles based on data collected in the objective one dairy calf survey were published and used for presentations at dairy and beef producer Extension meetings. Data were presented at multiple regional and international meetings. Planning for the Extension workshops was completed with plans for four workshops to take place across Wisconsin in summer 2024.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Sterry, R., M. Akins, E. Borchert, B. Halfman, S. Stuttgen, H. Schlesser, A. Bjurstrom, T. Kohlman, C. Ihde, M. Lippert, D. Marzu, and A. Cauffman. 2023. Beef x Dairy Crossbreeding Practices and Management of the Resulting Calves on Wisconsin Dairy Farms. J. NACAA 16(2).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting Seitz, A., M. Akins, and J. Sindelar. 2023. Impact of milk replacer feeding program on growth and efficiency of Angus � Holstein calves. J. Dairy Sci. 106:Suppl. 1.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Ryan Sterry, Bill Halfman, Erin Borchert, and Matt Akins. 2023. Beef x Dairy Crossbreeding and Calf Management Practices on Wisconsin Dairy Farms. University of Wiscosnin-Madison Extension Publication. https://livestock.extension.wisc.edu/files/2023/03/Beef-x-Dairy-Crossbreeding-and-Calf-Management-3-14-2023.pdf
• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Ryan Sterry. 2023. Beef x Dairy Crossbreeding and calf management practices on Wisconsin dairy farms: Part 1. University of Wiscosnin-Madison Extension Publication. https://livestock.extension.wisc.edu/articles/beef-x-dairy-crossbreeding-and-calf-management-practices-on-wisconsin-dairy-farms/
• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Ryan Sterry, Heather Schlesser, and Sandra Stuttgen. 2023. Beef x Dairy Crossbreeding and calf management practices on Wisconsin dairy farms: Part 2. University of Wiscosnin-Madison Extension Publication. https://livestock.extension.wisc.edu/articles/beef-x-dairy-crossbreeding-and-calf-management-practices-on-wisconsin-dairy-farms-part-2/

Progress 01/01/22 to 12/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of the work in the past year include Extension faculty/staff, dairy farmers, beef farmers,nutritionists, and the meat processing industry. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The research has provided training to one Masters level graduate student (Alyssa Seitz). Alyssa is being trained on research data collection including sampling, animal measurements, use of ultrasound for muscle/fat measures, meat fabrication/processing, and meat quality analysis. She is also being provided training via courses including biochemistry, statistics, and animal nutrition. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?-On-farm data collections willcontinueon two farms by Extension faculty/staff in order to gather data on harvested cattle and resulting carcass information. -The intensive feeding research project will finish in spring 2023 with sample analysis concluding in summer 2023. The Masters student will complete data analysis and write articles as part of her thesis and defense in fall 2023. The graduate student will be presenting project results at regional and national conferences. -Extension programming in Wisconsin will be planned for winter 2023/2024 to present results/conclusionsfrom objective 1. Extension articles and factsheets will be developed for online distribution. In addition, we will inviteand expertin dairy beef feeding management to present their research and suggested best management practices atExtension beef cattle feeding programs.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Project 1 -Data collected from Wisconsin dairy farms to understand dairy beef crossbred calf management wereprocessed and are being incorporated into an Extension article and provided back to Extension staff, participating farms, and to audiences at local/regional Extension meetings. These data will be usedto educate dairy and beef producers about areas to improve management which will result in improved calf growth and health (ex. improved colostrum management). -On-farm data collection project from 2 beef farms continued in the past year with farms providing cattle and carcass weights for understanding cattle performance. One additional farm has been added this past year for data collection.The data are beingused to understand variation in dairy beef crossbred cattlegrowth and meat quality. This work is in collaboration with Extension faculty and other UW-Madison faculty evaluating the use of 3-D imaging to predict cattle growth and carcass traits. Project 2 -A total of 96 dairy beef crossbred cattle were on study in the past year. The milk feeding phase was completed with data and sample analysis underway. The finishing and harvesting phase have been successfulwith 47 cattlecompleting the study and being harvested at a meat packing plant collaborating on the project (American Foods Group, Green Bay, WI) and the remainder of cattle planned to harvest between January and April 2023.This date will provide valuable information on the impact of finishing management on cattlegrowth, carcass traits, economics, and meat quality. Objective 2: There are no accomplishments under this objective. Extension articles from objective one dairy calf survey will be published in January 2023 and the data used for presentations at dairy and beef producer Extension meetings.

Publications

Progress 01/01/21 to 12/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of the work in the past year include Extension faculty/staff, dairy farmers, beef farmers, andnutritionists that have participated in the research phase of the project. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The research has provided training to one Masters level graduate student (Alyssa Seitz). Alyssa is being trained on research data collection including sampling, animal measurements, and use of ultrasound for muscle/fat measures. She is also being provided training via courses including biochemistry, statistics, and animal nutrition. The research also provided training to two undergraduate students in survey development and data collection. In addition, these students were trained to conduct various lab analyses on feed/forage samples. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?-We plan to increase the number of farms participating in the on-farm calf growth data collections since we currently only have three farms. Extension staff are contacting local farms to identify interested farms which have sufficient facilities to gather calf weight data. The team has a goal to add at least one more farm in 2022.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? As this project started in mid-2021, there are not major impacts to report based on the accomplishments completed thus far. The accomplishments specific to each objective for the project include: Objective 1: Project 1 -A survey was developed and performedby UW-Madison Extension faculty/staff on 35 Wisconsindairy farmsto understand current management of dairy beef crossbred calves. Data are being processed and will be provided back to Extension staff,participating farms, and to audiences at local/regional Extension meetings.These data will be used in the next year to educate dairy and beefproducers aboutareas to improve management which will result in improved calf growth and health. -An on-farm data collection project was initiated by Extension faculty/staff on 3 farms to collect calf growth data and feeding information. A total of more than 1,000 calves have had measurements taken by the participating farms thus far. The data will be used to understand variation in dairy beef crossbred calf growth and meat quality. Project 2 -A feeding study with dairy beef crossbred calves was initiated in July 2021 at the University of Wisconsin Arlington Agricultural Research Station. Currently, a total of 63 calves have been placed on study with plans to complete the milk feeding phase by April 2022. The milk feeding phase is evaluating how different amounts of milk nutrients impact calf growth. Thiswill provide valuable information on the impact of this phase on not only calf growth, butpossibly effects on later growth and meat quality. Objective 2: -There are no accomplishments under this objective. When data are completed fromobjective 1, these data will be used to develop Extension programming and resources for dairy and beef producers.

Publications