Is there any future in suckler cows ?

Woolless said:

Here's a system advocated by some American suckler producers, with some suggested adaptions. I've flagged this up elsewhere but interested in what the TFF assembled suckler brains trust think:

-Native-bred cows, calving June/July.
-Calves wintered at foot on deferred grazing (could be housed) and weaned on to spring grass.
-Sell as stores before second winter, or if carried over (brassicas? Good silage?) would finish readily on grass.
-Pluses: Potential for a PFLA/no cereals system. Cull cows finished easily at grass when price is generally good. Lean cows put condition on easily in spring.
-Negatives: controlling cow condition before calving? Calves small to sell if you need to get out of them before winter.

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som farmer said:

the lad I know, 350 aax cows, aa bull, everything gone fat by 20 mnts, all hitting waitrose spec, no conc. nothing housed, measured his grass, maxed that, wintered on kale. The best dairy boys are getting 5000 liters from forage, if they can do that, so can the fat finish off grass.

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Werzle said:

Still got to be fed regardless of it being a false 16 or a true 20mths

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dannewhouse said:

I know ... But the paper work would look better,
I always think it's easier to be straight, then you don't get in a muddle or owt with tags etc

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unlacedgecko said:

Double suckle all the cows for extra £££

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unlacedgecko said:

Many would just open all the gates and let the cattle run the whole block.

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Woolless said:

I think you'd be asking for trouble on that system. Dairy x sucklers spring calving might be ok. How easy is it to get a cow to take an extra calf?

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choochter said:

thats what I do in the winter, am I bad ?

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unlacedgecko said:

According to the kiwi studies I’ve read, on average 90% will accept one using the “dog collar” method.

The foster calf typically has a lower weaning weight, but catches up by slaughter.

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Samcowman said:

Beat me to it. And then in the autumn put ring feeders put in the easiest access field and still let them run the whole block.

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Woolless said:

What's the dog collar method?

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Woolless said:

What's the dog collar method?

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beefandsleep said:

Issues that occur.
Young calves on muddy forage crops are not going to do well, you are losing a lot of good growth potential at an age when they are at their most efficient.
If you have lovely dry ground ideal for outwintering then you are probably short of summer grass when the cows need it to milk.

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unlacedgecko said:

Put a calf collar on each calf, joined by 18” of rope or chain with swivels at each end. Have the trio in a small pen for a day, then a small paddock for a few more days. Observe closely to ensure both calves feeding well.

Once cow has accepted both calves turn them out.

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Woolless said:

I'm not sure what the red tractor inspector would think?

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Farmer Fin said:

Creep feeding is good to maximise growth rate as long as cost effective. It becomes expensive when creep is being used to substitute cheaper forage rather than an addition to maximise intake.

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Extreme Optimist said:

Also, you are taking some of the pressure off the cow and even more so the heifer so she is likely to get back into calf more quickly.

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som farmer said:

the lad I know, 350 aax cows, aa bull, everything gone fat by 20 mnts, all hitting waitrose spec, no conc. nothing housed, measured his grass, maxed that, wintered on kale. The best dairy boys are getting 5000 liters from forage, if they can do that, so can the fat finish off grass.

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unlacedgecko said:

With a closed her you can breed own replacements and cull anything which doesn’t get back in calf. Putting the stock under pressure like that will allow identification of fertile genetics.

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