Prices for dairy replacement heifers and beef-cross calves remain out of this world, with both springers and newborn calves reaching astronomical levels. Holstein springers topped out in May at $4,200 per head in Pipestone, Minn., and newborn beef cross calves exceeded $1,600 per head in Wisconsin. How far and long this launch into record territory will last remains to be seen, but beef-cross breeding will continue to make a big bang in the markets for the foreseeable future.
According to the National Association of Animal Breeders, more than 81% of beef semen sold in the U.S. in 2024 was purchased by dairies, and USDA estimates predict the inventory of U.S. dairy heifers over 500 pounds will be the lowest ever recorded.
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