Why Angus cattle earn an integrated finisher more than Blues

摘要

Angus-sired cattle are outperforming Blue-cross cattle in a dairy-beef system through faster weight gains, longer grazing periods, cheaper diets and a more valuable carcass.Continental cattle achieved a better grade and a higher carcass value when paid on Europ grid terms, but veterinarian and beef finisher Rob Drysdale says natives are more profitable when accounting for the Angus-sired premium and reduced feed costs.Mr Drysdale's business - StraightLine Beef (SLB) - is a vertically integrated, bovine TB-restricted beef finishing supply chain based near Shepton Mallet, Somerset.Data collected at SLB on Farm Wizard and, most recently AgriWebb, shows Angus cattle can be finished faster and cheaper than the Blues. Furthermore, a Harper Adams University dissertation study on the business underlined the superior margin generated bythe more valuable Angus cattle. A flat rate is paid for two- to four-week-old calves when they enter rearing units from the dairy supplier.