Jesse Randall, owner and manager of AJ Beef in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, knows what it takes to bring value and consistency to the Beef on Dairy sector. With 70,000 crossbred calves marketed annually, he’s at the frontlines of the supply chain, buying day-old calves directly from dairies and seeing them through to finishing weight. His message to dairies is clear: don’t cut corners. From colostrum to genetics, doing the basics right pays off.
AJ Beef operates on a relationship-based model. Jesse and his team work directly with dairies to ensure calves start strong. When it comes to building those trusted relationships, Jesse says, “We try to work with the dairy to make sure that they have good colostrum protocols, health protocols, and the right genetics.” He’s clear that these simple practices set the tone for calf performance down the line.
Making the Right Calves with $ST
Jesse believes genetics matter just as much as health. Like most raisers, Jesse prefers male calves. Conservatively, he says male calves are worth at least $150 more than heifers, incentivizing investments into products like Ultraplus™ male-sorted semen from STgenetics® Beef Add On™ program.
With a master’s in economics, he gets excited about opportunities to collect and analyze data. This past year, AJ Beef partnered with STgenetics® to genomically evaluate hundreds of calves to ensure they’re getting what they’re promised. With data-driven genomic indexes like $ST, he’s been able to identify elite animals, saying, “if you're looking at maybe up to $500 of lifetime profit difference between a poor animal versus a really elite one, and we want to do as much as we can to get the right genetics into cows.”
When AJ Beef began seven years ago, the performance of Beef on Dairy cattle in the feedlot was suboptimal. But today, with improvements in both genetics and management, Jesse is seeing closeouts that rival native beef cattle. “That’s part of why the day-old prices are so high now,” he explains. “We’ve been able to turn these animals into very high performers in the feedlot that can supplement a gap in the traditional beef supply.”
Instead of traditional beef indexes, Jesse advocates for using Beef on Dairy-specific tools, like $ST, that prioritize traits relevant to dairy crosses. Not doing so, Jesse believes, “Is like focusing on a fluid milk index when you’re selling to a cheese market. You’re doing yourself a disservice.”
Looking Ahead
Ultimately, Jesse sees Beef on Dairy as a critical and growing segment of the beef supply chain. Its continued success starts on the dairy, with intentional decisions, strong protocols, and a commitment to using the right genetics.
“I’m not talking about major expensive things,” he says. “It just takes being intentional.”
By focusing on quality from day one, dairies can not only secure better prices for their calves but also help raise the standard for the entire industry. With partners like AJ Beef leading the charge, the future of Beef on Dairy is being built today.
To learn more about the robust Beef on Dairy market, visit the links below:
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3H0NdLS
Apple: https://bit.ly/4jfZpWL