Reducing the age of finishing beef animals

This practice abstract presents strategies to reduce the age of finishing in dairy-beef production systems, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving production efficiency.

Methane emissions from beef cattle are directly linked to the length of the production cycle. Reducing finishing age by three months can lower emissions by approximately 19 kg per animal. Key strategies include the use of genetics, such as the “Age to Finish” trait in the Dairy Beef Index, improved grassland management, high-quality forage and balanced nutrition.

Good animal health and efficient feed conversion are also essential to achieve target finishing weights sooner while maintaining carcass quality and farm profitability.