This week, we focus on calves, with everything from systems to economics and milk replacer. Attention to detail in the next few weeks could reap rewards later in the year.
Beef suckler farmer Mark Serviss, Moycashell, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, with his three-month-old dairy calves.
ADVERTISEMENT
We are entering into one of the busiest periods of the year on many dairy and beef farms over the next few months. With the expansion in the dairy herd over the past few years, we will see huge numbers of calves traded over the next few months and the importance of healthy calves will be ever more important given the numbers farmers will be dealing with.
To help make this decision, Ciarán looks at the economics of a calf-to-beef system and, as the figures demonstrate, there is no room for error. The advice from everybody is to study the system in detail and make sure there is enough cashflow on the farm to see the system out.
We take a look at an integrated system in the UK, where Gary Allis is finishing 1,500 Holstein bulls annually in conjunction with the Buitelaar Group. His attention to detail and feed costs, coupled with his ability to get a forward price contract, has meant he has been able to grow his business considerably in the last few years.
Aidan Brennan compares milk replacer products on the market and what is good value and what is not.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the headline, summary and link below:
Title: Getting ready for a busy calving period on farms
This week, we focus on calves, with everything from systems to economics and milk replacer. Attention to detail in the next few weeks could reap rewards later in the year.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
We are entering into one of the busiest periods of the year on many dairy and beef farms over the next few months. With the expansion in the dairy herd over the past few years, we will see huge numbers of calves traded over the next few months and the importance of healthy calves will be ever more important given the numbers farmers will be dealing with.
To help make this decision, Ciarán looks at the economics of a calf-to-beef system and, as the figures demonstrate, there is no room for error. The advice from everybody is to study the system in detail and make sure there is enough cashflow on the farm to see the system out.
We take a look at an integrated system in the UK, where Gary Allis is finishing 1,500 Holstein bulls annually in conjunction with the Buitelaar Group. His attention to detail and feed costs, coupled with his ability to get a forward price contract, has meant he has been able to grow his business considerably in the last few years.
Aidan Brennan compares milk replacer products on the market and what is good value and what is not.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS