Like a few other suckler farmers, I have recently brought in dairy stock on a contract-rearing basis. Over the summer, I grazed in-calf heifers and these have now been replaced with a batch of yearling heifers.

I was talking to a dairy farmer recently and he challenged me as to why I was content to feed off the crumbs from the dairy table. Instead, he suggested that I should switch to dairying and feed at the top table.

What he meant was that I should be milking cows rather than being content with getting a few pounds for rearing dairy heifers.

It really got me thinking – was I getting a fair slice of the cake?

It also begs the question, why are dairy farmers contracting out the rearing of their heifers? Is it because they have seen an opportunity to take advantage of suckler farmers?

These are all very valid questions, but when I started contract-rearing I made it clear that this had to work for both parties. I had to be content that I was being properly rewarded for the job that I’m doing. And my dairy counterpart must be satisfied that I’m doing a good job for the amount of money he is paying me.

Six months down the line and I think it has been working for us both, and I certainly don’t feel as if I’m living off the crumbs from the dairy table.

Reasons

I have a number of specific reasons for trying this new enterprise. In recent years, I have been trying to push my stocking rate and get the farm to make as much money as possible.

We have increased cow numbers as far as possible, but the land is not fit to carry any more, so we have had to think of other options.

The opportunity arose to take in some dairy heifers and we said that we would try it and see how it would work, with an option to take more in the future.

The heifers were used as a follower batch. They came in after cows, sheep and young stock to clean out paddocks. This worked very well this summer.

They were always content, and it meant our topper didn’t get many outings this year.

Sometimes it’s hard to get cows to eat out paddocks, especially in wet weather. However, the dairy heifers had no problems cleaning the paddocks and actually did very well on this surplus grass. You could even suggest that these heifers were living on the crumbs from the suckler table.

They have now gone back to their owner to calve, and I have taken in a larger batch of younger heifers.

Positives

But there are several other positives worthy of mention. I am carrying extra animals without extra money being tied up in stock, and have a regular income, something few suckler farmers have.

Perhaps the picture that I have painted would make you think that all the positives are for the suckler farmer. This is not the case.

The dairy farmer is able to simplify his system, and concentrate on what he is good at, which is milking cows.

Some people think that it is sad to see black and white cattle on suckler farms, and being honest, I did find it strange at first, but if it makes my business more sustainable then so be it.