The cull cows have just started the weaning process. Normally I lock the cows inside and allow the calves access to grass via a creep gate. But as some of the culls are fit to go, I want them to stay clean so the calves will be locked in instead. Half of the culls will go within two weeks, with the balance by the end of October.

The cows in poorer condition have been fed the last few weeks, while the others are ready to go from grass. The global demand for manufacturing meat has seen the value of cull cows rise to within 50c/kg to 60c/kg of heifer prices. This tells its own story of what consumers want. The sale of cull cows is a nice cash bonus every autumn and should encourage suckler farmers to move on unproductive cows and upgrade their herds.

Farm walk

While attending a BDGP farm walk at Billy and Niall Nicholson’s last week, the case for commercial farm research was strengthened. Animals born to four- and five-star cows were 26kg heavier and were slaughtered 71 days earlier than those from cows with three stars and under.

The higher star rated cows calves were 25kg heavier at weighing in mid-August than the lower genetic merit calves. This data was got from examining the last three years’ slaughter data from the farm. I think there is a far bigger role for commercial farm research and monitor farms in enhancing the lot of the suckler farmer. The weaned calves will be given access to the new reseed once it is complete.

All calves will be wormed, weighed and vaccinated for IBR as they come near the yard. Cows will also be weighed. This is to get a handle on their working weight. By mid-September most are halfway through their pregnancy and have reared their calves. The first-calvers will be weaned next and allowed an extra run at grass to build up condition.

Straw

Bringing in straw is the signal for autumn starting. Hopefully another 60 bales should be sufficient, but I may be tempted.

The bad weather around the weekend allowed me complete power-washing the yard and a friend has been helping out with repair jobs. Having gates swinging and buildings in good repair saves a lot of minutes in a year, as well as improving safety.

Something every farmer should ask themselves is, does the farm run the farmer or the farmer run the farm? With a considerable amount of suckler farmers, farming part-time, should the focus not be on return per hour over anything else. It would certainly be a confidence builder rather than something that can feed those who thrive on spreading negativity for their own advantage.

Income

Staring at average beef income figures can be disheartening. But when you factor in the hours involved it would change. How much per hour a farmer makes per enterprise would give a different take on it. If labour is your most limited resource then you may have to approach your farm a bit differently. You can’t be hanging off a calving jack for each calving if you have to be somewhere else. So take control of what you can control.