The experimental plan of this project is based on the “Mattenance Efficiency” project, where bull calves of the Fleckvieh breed and 3 Holstein genotypes are fattened (see also “Milk Efficiency” project). 10 male Brown Swiss feeders are fattened up to a final fattening weight of 720 kg with 2 different basic feed rations. In addition, a practical trial with Brown Swiss bulls compared to Simmental cattle is being carried out on an Upper Austrian farm.

The discussion about the transport of calves - especially dairy calves - abroad is currently very present in agriculture, the media and society. Possible solutions include sexed semen, the even greater allocation of dairy cows to meat breeds or even fattening calves domestically. In any case, sustainable, animal-ethical agriculture requires a holistic view of production systems. This requires a joint assessment of milk production and fattening, and therefore also an assessment of the bull calves on our dairy farms.

As everywhere else, economic efficiency is the central issue in cattle fattening. In the project, the lower brown Swiss calf costs compared to Simmental cattle should also be taken into account in profitability calculations.

In addition to a typical corn silage ration, a grass silage-based ration is used in the project. The use of grass silage in fattening can result in more protein from the basic feed (1) reducing imported protein concentrates, (2) limiting competition for land on arable land (feed vs. food production) and also (3) being an alternative to corn silage in the Demonstrate crop rotation (maize root borer problem).

Ultimately, this project also aims to create even more awareness of the product quality of beef among numerous stakeholders.