Differences in Health, Feed Intake, and Growth Between Holstein and Beef-on-dairy Calves

Abstract Beef-on-dairy (B×D) calves are rapidly increasing its presence in calf-raising systems, yet management protocols remain largely derived from dairy heifer biology. The objective of this presentation was to synthesize controlled experimental and observational studies evaluating health and performance differences between Holstein steers and B×D calves during the pre-weaning period. In a controlled feeding study, Holstein and B×D calves were managed under identical housing, milk allowance, and health protocols. Breed influenced disease susceptibility: B×D calves had greater likelihood of severe diarrhea and higher mortality risk compared with Holsteins. However, clinical respiratory disease incidence was similar between breeds. In a second prospective cohort study (n = 120) associations between breed, growth, and morbidity were evaluated. Breed was not associated with incidence of diarrhea, bovine respiratory disease (BRD), abomasal bloat, or mortality. Nevertheless, B×D calves gained 0.09 kg/d more than Holsteins during the first 56 d of life, consumed 0.34 kg/d more starter, and reached consistent starter intake 4 d earlier. Thus, B×D calves demonstrated superior feed intake behavior and growth despite comparable health outcomes. In a third study, combining data from the previous two studies, disease–performance relationships were evaluated, and further highlighted biological divergence between calf types. Health disorders negatively affected growth in both populations, but performance responses differed in magnitude, indicating that disease resilience and growth efficiency may not be the same across genetic backgrounds. Collectively, these studies indicate that differences between Holstein and B×D calves are not uniform across populations. The variability observed likely reflects heterogeneity within the calf populations in each study, including differences in maternal dairy breed composition and early life conditions. Strategies aimed at improving health and growth performance are likely beneficial across both calf groups.