An unexpected development in the last couple of days has provided some food for thought.

Not for the first time, our bull weanlings have attracted some interest from the ICBF. At this stage, 90% of the breeding cows are sired by an AI bull. These animals and their progeny are assumedly valuable to the ICBF in terms of genetic evaluations.

An offer, based on an on-farm weight, has been made for all of the 2014 bulls. The figure is reflective of what’s being given around the ring at present. But does it make sense to sell?

Judging by last year’s carcass weights, the initial answer seems to be no. Ration prices are heading south, while beef prices head north. Between now and slaughter each bull will consume an average of €2.10 worth of feed per day (meal 25c/kg DM; silage 16c/kg DM) whilst growing at 1.7kg of live weight per day.

But...there’s always a ‘but’...

The value of an on-farm weight shouldn’t be underestimated. A day out at the ring can cost an animal multiple kilos depending on transportation distance. The vast majority of losses are gut-fill related but can the scales tell the difference? This is before mart and transport costs are factored in.

Looking at the group as a whole, it is evident that the generic price offered for the group is being kind to a couple of the animals on a per kilo basis. One such animal is a twin out of a heifer who is expectedly small. The other is a calf from a Holstein-cross cow who is exhibiting far more of the black and white genetics than one would like! Despite this, he has grown into a decent animal, though he still ‘sticks out’ in the pen somewhat.

Even when the above is taken into account, it should be more financially beneficial for us to bring the bulls to slaughter. The current market trends for both feed and beef are leaning in favour of the finisher. However, speculating five months in advance may be pushing the boundaries of wishful thinking. That being said, producers are undoubtedly in a more promising place than this time last year.

Finances aside; we’ve always finished our animals. We’ve always watch with pride as the group steam on in the final weeks. We’ve always examined the kill sheet with a fine tooth comb the following day. We’ve always based our AI bull selection on the slaughter performance the previous year.

Obviously there may come a time when the prevailing markets will give us no choice but to offload them. But for the moment, they’re staying put.

Besides, they’ll serve as a welcome distraction when baby hooves start hitting the straw in a month’s time.