Expression of interest in joining the Beef-on-Dairy team with Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms

Fonterra has partnered with Silver Fern Farms to build a beef-on-dairy excellence programme for prime steers and heifers, and we are inviting farmers to join the team.

* Farm ID

* Herd records provider

Other - Please Specify

*Which AB company will your qualifying semen come from?

Select all that apply:

CRV

LIC

GENEZ

Samen

World Wide Sires

* How many calves do you plan to produce for the programme? *Autumn 2027 *Spring 2027

* Do you plan to finish these yourself?

Are you a Silver Fern Farms Supplier?

Would you be interested in a service to match your calves with buyers in the Silver Fern Farms network?

When do you plan to sell the calves?

* Which retailer do you usually order calf ear tags through?

Your contact details

*First Name

*Last Name

*Email Address

*Phone Number.

I understand by submitting this form that I consent to receiving email communication about the programme. You can opt out at any time.

Beef-on-dairy excellence programme

In the programme, calves born on Fonterra farms to the selected beef sires are tagged with branded ear tags that identify them as performance beef calves that are suitable for the beef-on-dairy value chain.

Cattle processed through the beef-on-dairy programme at Silver Fern Farms will receive a premium (currently 15c/kg). We already have demand from beef farmers for these calves and are working with Silver Fern Farms to make it easier to place these calves into the beef industry.

How does it work?

You source the specified semen through your breeding company – a list of qualifying sires is available here. Charolais and Hereford sires are available from most breeding companies. These sires will need to be the only sires of that breed used, so that you can rely on the colour markings to identify the calves from these sires.
Express your interest in the programme using this form
Tag your calves with the branded tags when they are born in 2027. Subsided tags will be available to farmers who have joined the programme. We will contact you at a later date with more details on tag ordering.
Sell your calves for beef whenever it suits your system, as feeder calves, 100 kg weaners, or later. Let us know in your expression of interest if you’re interested in being connected to buyers.