DOI: 10.5061/dryad.v15dv4280
title: Appendix from: Understanding challenges and strengths in the post-dairy farm surplus calf value chain: An interview study

description: Surplus calves are animals produced by the dairy industry but not retained
 on the farm as herd replacements, namely, male calves and excess females.
 These animals primarily enter dairy-beef or veal production systems. In
 recent years, surplus calf production has come under scrutiny due to
 welfare concerns, such as health outcomes and housing. To design and
 implement effective interventions, it is critical to understand the
 perspectives of industry stakeholders (i.e., calf marketers and calf
 raisers). However, little research has been conducted in the post-dairy
 farm surplus calf value chain in the United States. Therefore, the
 objective of this study was to understand surplus calf marketer and calf
 raiser perspectives of the strengths and challenges within the surplus
 calf system in the United States. Twenty-two telephone interviews were
 conducted from June 2023 to January 2024. Participants included 7 dairy
 beef raisers, 6 veal industry stakeholders, 5 livestock market
 representatives, and 4 calf dealers. Individuals were located throughout
 the Northeast and Midwest US. The interview was designed to take
 approximately 20 minutes to complete. Mean (range) interview duration was
 31 minutes (11 to 69). Interviews were recorded, anonymized, and
 transcribed. Transcripts were then analyzed using inductive thematic
 analysis. Most participants expressed satisfaction with their day-to-day
 management strategies (e.g., health and nutrition programs, proficient
 personnel).  When questioned about challenges or opportunities for
 improvement, participants discussed labor issues, lack of industry
 expertise in advisors, and concerns regarding long-distance transport as a
 stressor for calves. Disaggregation and lack of communication between
 stakeholders was perceived to cause difficulties during surplus calf
 transport. Improving communication between stakeholders may improve
 transport conditions and subsequently address other challenges expressed
 by participants, such as calf health on arrival at calf
 raisers. Future work to streamline calf marketing, as well as
 bolstering resources available to calf growers may be beneficial to the
 industry. Additional qualitative work to ensure a broad representation of
 stakeholder perspectives, particularly from other regions, may yield
 additional research avenues. 
description: ## Appendix from: Understanding challenges and strengths in the post-dairy
 farm surplus calf value chain: An interview study Dataset DOI:
 [10.5061/dryad.v15dv4280](10.5061/dryad.v15dv4280) ## Description of the
 data and file structure The objective of this study was to understand
 surplus calf marketer and calf producer perspectives of the strengths and
 challenges within the surplus calf system in the United States. Twenty-two
 semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders in the surplus
 calf value chain.  ### Files: ### File: Appendix_1_Questionnaire.docx
 **Description:** The semi-structured questionnaire employed during the
 project.