How Does the Dairy Community Fit in the Beef World?

If you have followed the Arizona Beef blog for a while, then you already know the commitment and care given to cattle raised in Arizona. Ranching families across the state work every day to ensure their cattle have fresh clean water, nutritious feed, and live in a low-stress environment. This attention to care ensures these animals produce delicious and nutritious beef for the families of these ranchers and for your family, too. Arizona dairies are no different. With most dairy farms owned by families, they are also committed to the care and comfort of their cattle. Not only do they focus on producing nutritious milk, but also on providing quality beef.

Wes Kerr, of Kerr Family Dairy, shares, “The two biggest products that we produce on our farm are milk and meat. We want those products to be high-quality, wholesome nutrition that feeds families. The goal for each and every one of my cows is to lead a long, healthy life on my farm. For each of my cows, my goal is for them to eventually become beef. It is an important part of our business that allows us to get value back from our animals helping us to stay a viable business.”

Another contribution from the dairy community to beef is the raising of the male calves, which are castrated and called steers that are raised to provide high-quality beef. The male calves are raised on a calf ranch and then at a feedyard (to learn more about these feedyards check out this blog and this one). At the feed yard, these animals are fed a mixed diet formulated by a cattle nutritionist, monitored for health with supervision from a cattle veterinarian, given access to fresh, clean water, and are able to move around freely in their pens. When harvested, the cattle provide high-quality , steaks, roasts, ground beef.

Together, beef ranchers and dairy farmers strive to provide all with nutritious and wholesome beef and dairy products. To learn more about the diary community visit Arizona Milk Producers.