The ideal suckler cow

Cowgirl · Jan 11, 2023

unlacedgecko said:
Assuming average daily requirement of 3% LW in DM per day the 800kg herd will eat 2,400kg DM per day.

The 550kg herd will eat 1,650kg DM per day.

To be a proper comparison it should be 100x 800kg cows Vs 145 550kg cows.

Assuming each herd weans 95% at 45% of LW, it's 95x 360kg calves Vs 137x 247kg calves.

I'd take the more numerous lighter calves. More head to spread fixed costs over, and each death is a smaller percentage of total income. But that's because I'm a clown and sh!t stockman.

From our calculations, the only thing wrong with the above is that our 550-600 kg cows eat 1.5 - 2% LW in DM/ day…

M-J-G · Jan 11, 2023

Cowgirl said:
From our calculations, the only thing wrong with the above is that our 550-600 kg cows eat 1.5 - 2% LW in DM/ day…

Around 2% would be the norm dependant on cow type.
The better capacity types will consume more allowing them to be fed lower quality forage, more whippet types are generally lower and need better quality due to lower capacity for their weight.

unlacedgecko · Jan 11, 2023

M-J-G said:
Around 2% would be the norm dependant on cow type.
The better capacity types will consume more allowing them to be fed lower quality forage, more whippet types are generally lower and need better quality due to lower capacity for their weight.

And that's without discussing frame score.

digger64 · Jan 11, 2023

Cowgirl said:
From our calculations, the only thing wrong with the above is that our 550-600 kg cows eat 1.5 - 2% LW in DM/ day…

plus wastage and soiled pasture ,3% is a realistic figure to work on , a bigger cow has a higher maintenance need -she will have to walk further/work harder to satisfy this before any production .

M-J-G · Jan 11, 2023

digger64 said:
plus wastage and soiled pasture ,3% is a realistic figure to work on , a bigger cow has a higher maintenance need -she will have to walk further/work harder to satisfy this before any production .

How is a bigger cow walking further?

Gulli · Jan 11, 2023

M-J-G said:
How is a bigger cow walking further?

Because she needs to eat more but I wouldn't think there's a massive distance difference

Kiwi Pete · Jan 11, 2023

Distance walked during grazing is really more a function of their management, isn't it?

I can't see ours going far

Gulli · Jan 11, 2023

Not sure it makes a massive difference either way it's not like cattle eat their maintenance and then stop moving for the rest of the day

M-J-G · Jan 11, 2023

Gulli said:
Because she needs to eat more but I wouldn't think there's a massive distance difference

I'd say none, if she's bigger she'll have a bigger mouth so she'll take bigger bites.

Baling Hay · Mar 7, 2023

Vader said:
View attachment 1086636
Last years...
Calf indoors over winter.
Just on mother's milk and silage adlib (so grass...) same as mother gets.

Turn out in April at 3-4 months so then can grow well on spring grass as at that age eat plenty themselves.
September wean off so to avoid August bag weaning earlier.
Into barley yard where end up on adlib rolled barley in trough and straw in a ring to eat.
Cow goes back out if weather ok once she dried off on straw and water .
Then back in once land starts to cut up.
Cow on straw and odd licks till calfs

What age do they finish at and how much barley do you think they eat from birth to finish? Cracking stock there btw!

Hilly · Mar 7, 2023

Kiwi Pete said:
Distance walked during grazing is really more a function of their management, isn't it?View attachment 1087576
I can't see ours going far

Mine might need a taxi

thorpe · Mar 7, 2023

Vader said:
Always fancied trying a bull but could not find 1.
Used a piedmontese on the heifers (great for first calf as came out like rats but grew to nice shape) and odd cow.

try alan buxton , bollington , cheshire . we buy his store's through the mkt. i can assure you they wouldn't have been pushed!

thorpe · Mar 7, 2023

Bossfarmer said:
Bazadaise? Do they do ok thru store ring vs a charolais?

nothing beats a good

charolas !and i'm a baz fan

thorpe · Mar 7, 2023

Bossfarmer said:
How could they tell what they were fed

you only have to look at them!

Hilly · Mar 7, 2023

Aspiring Peasants said:
When they are hung up, the fat will be whiter with barley fed. Butchers don't like the appearance with yellow fat.

If i get a steak and it has oure white fat i send it back they absolutely bowking they smell different n all . Yellow fat is more grass fed and is not only delicious but meant to be good for you .

choochter · Mar 7, 2023

Vader said:
Always fancied trying a bull but could not find 1.
Used a piedmontese on the heifers (great for first calf as came out like rats but grew to nice shape) and odd cow.

Also try Pat and Bernard Gill, Yarlsber, Lancs, they have bulls for sale right now. Details on Baz website For Sale page
www.bazadaise.co.uk

Cluny · Apr 2, 2023

FarmerDanny1989 said:
Just for a bit of fun and some general discussion what is everyone’s thoughts on there own ideal suckler cow?

Maternal and paternal breeds?
Size/weight?
what would you/do you put her to?

For me maybe I’m biased because I’m selling them but a heifer out of a Belgian blue x with Frisian x with a limosuin gives great genetics 1/4 muscle 1/4 milk and the easy fleashing of the limy. Any descent bull will give a good calf been breeding them since 96 and have a great demand. Just my opinion but certainly works for a lot of people.

nails · Apr 2, 2023

Suffolksucklers said:
All our cows are moved by calling them, calves then learn at foot so the stores are all done the same. Can't drive them as they always want someone to show them where to go

That is the easiest way to move cattle . Cant understand people who drive their cattle. Get the group leader moving and the rest will follow . Half a dozen people going out waving blue piping nearly always is a Pantomime.

Suffolksucklers · Apr 2, 2023

nails said:
That is the easiest way to move cattle . Cant understand people who drive their cattle. Get the group leader moving and the rest will follow . Half a dozen people going out waving blue piping nearly always is a Pantomime.

Usually one of us goes in front and one behind to keep up the stragglers/make sure you've got them all if we're moving them down a track. Field to field I just do on my own. Same as if we want them in the pound to treat them I get them in then others turn up. All calm and easy.

tractorsandcows · Apr 2, 2023

If Carlsberg did suckler cows..........

The ideal suckler cow

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0 %

Up to 25%

25-50%

50-75%

75-100%

100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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