The Fate of Male Calves on Commercial Dairy Farms

Commercial dairy farms produce both female and male calves, but the fate of male calves is often quite different from that of their female counterparts. This article explores various practices involving male calves, from culling to raising them for specific purposes.

Common Practices for Male Calves on Dairy Farms

Male calves born on commercial dairy farms typically face one of several outcomes, which are largely influenced by economic factors and the farm's operational goals. These practices include:

Culling

Since male calves do not produce milk, they are often deemed less valuable in dairy operations. Many commercial farms cull male calves shortly after birth through euthanasia or sending them to processing facilities. This immediate disposal method ensures that the economic investment in raising these calves is not wasted.

Beef Production

Some male calves are raised for beef production. These calves are sold to specialized beef farms where they are raised until they reach market weight. While this may provide a viable economic option, it also means that these calves are not utilized in dairy production.

Veal Production

In some cases, male calves are raised specifically for veal production. This involves keeping them in controlled environments to ensure they produce tender meat. These controlled conditions often include restricted access to solid food and a diet high in milk, resulting in a more delicate flavor and texture.

Breeding

Breeding purposes occasionally involve keeping a male calf, especially if it comes from a high-quality lineage. However, this practice is less common than for female calves, as female calves are more frequently retained for their milk production.

Sales to Dairy Beef Operations

Some farms sell male calves to operations specializing in raising them for dairy beef. These calves are hand-raised until their umbilical cords have dried (around 5 days), and then sold to farmers who specialize in raising male dairy calves for “dairy beef.”

In some instances, dairies will keep the calves for a short period on a nurse cow before selling them inexpensively to individuals who raise them for their own meat. However, the meat from dairy calves does not gain weight as quickly as beef cattle and lacks the rich flavor of meat from beef cattle due to lower fat content.

Calves not sold for this endeavor are often immediately dispatched (quickly euthanized) unless one stands out as a potential breeding bull. This highlights the economic pressures faced by dairy farmers regarding the management of male calves.

In the following short video, a dairy farmer explains his process for managing male calves.

Resources and Further Reading

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Keywords: male calves, dairy farms, veal production