Dairy producers take advantage of high cattle prices

Breeding with beef genetics a way to manage heifer inventory

Janelle Atyeo
Jun 2, 2025
Jun 2, 2025

Dairy calf — A Jersey cross calf rests in the straw at Boadwine Farms near Baltic, S.D. The dairy does genomic testing on its herd and breeds the top 40% for replacement heifers. The rest are bred with Angus genetics, intended for the beef market.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Janelle Atyeo

As milk prices bounce up and down, calf sales to the beef industry have recently become a reliable income source for dairy producers.

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Raised in small town South Dakota, Janelle is enjoying her time as editor of Tri-State Neighbor and Midwest Messenger while raising kids, chickens and no till vegetables in central Sioux Falls. Reach her at janelle.atyeo@lee.net.