**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** DAIRY AND BEEF PRODUCERS ARE PRESSURED BY LOW PROFITABILITY AND EXTERNAL FORCES WITH NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF ANIMAL HANDLING AND WELFARE, AND ANIMAL AGRICULTURE'S IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT. HISTORICALLY, THE VALUE FROM THE SALE OF BULL CALVES IN DAIRY ENTERPRISES HAS REPRESENTED A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THEIR TOTAL REVENUE. REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES ALLOW PRODUCERS TO SELECT REPLACEMENT HEIFERS FROM ONLY THEIR BEST COWS. FOR DAIRY COWS WITH LOWER GENETIC MERIT, BEEF BREED SIRES CAN ACHIEVE PREGNANCIES NEEDED TO START NEW LACTATIONS. THESE DAIRY X BEEF CROSSES OFFER SUPERIOR GENETIC MERIT FOR FINISHING PERFORMANCE, EFFICIENCY, AND IMMUNE FUNCTION COMPARED WITH STRAIGHT BRED DAIRY STEERS, ADDING VALUE TO THE DAIRY ENTERPRISE.RESEARCH IS NEEDED TO INVESTIGATE THE MANAGEMENT OF BEEF X DAIRY CROSSBRED CALVES DESTINED FOR BEEF PRODUCTION TO PROVIDE PRODUCERS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS.IN THIS PROJECT, WE AIM TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF MANAGEMENT OF BEEF X DAIRY CROSSBRED STEERS FOR BEEF PRODUCTION ON ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND EDUCATE BEEF PRODUCERS ON BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF THESE CALVES TO IMPROVE RURAL ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS.THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS INTEGRATED RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROPOSAL ARE:1. DETERMINE EFFECTS OF MANAGEMENT OF BEEF X DAIRY CALVES FOR BEEF PRODUCTION ON SYSTEM PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN COMPARISON WITH TRADITIONAL BEEF PRODUCTION.2. DEFINE AND EDUCATE PRODUCERS ON BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR BEEF PRODUCTION FROM BEEF X DAIRY COMPOSITES THROUGH VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON CONFERENCES, FIELD DAYS, FARM TOURS, FACT SHEETS, AND WEBINARS.