Arable imposter

[principal skinner]

We/I am predominantly arable farmers but have a few grass paddocks around the farm, having worked with livestock in the past I would like to have a few beef animals about the place as a paying hobby. We have a large equestrian business and there are always bales of hay that the customers decide their precious dobbin can not eat at any cost but perfectly fine!

Talking about 10/15 head, buy in spring and sell in autumn???

Fill me in please lads, grandfather in law had 1000 head of beef here years ago and I would like a few about

 

[neilo]

If you have access to ‘free’ hay that needs utilising, as well as sheds and straw, would you not be better buying cheap in the Autumn and selling dear in the Spring, just as everyone gets grass fever?

 

[principal skinner]

If you have access to ‘free’ hay that needs utilising, as well as sheds and straw, would you not be better buying cheap in the Autumn and selling dear in the Spring, just as everyone gets grass fever?

Possibly yes, open to all suggestions
!

 

[DRC]

If you have access to ‘free’ hay that needs utilising, as well as sheds and straw, would you not be better buying cheap in the Autumn and selling dear in the Spring, just as everyone gets grass fever?

But then that doesn't make use of the grass paddocks that need grazing .

 

[principal skinner]

But then that doesn't make use of the grass paddocks that need grazing .

They don’t ‘need’ grazing, I can make hay off them while doing livery hay or my wife will just buy a couple of horses ‘just to make use of the grass’ some of them have been around 15 years plus[emoji6]

 

[neilo]

But then that doesn't make use of the grass paddocks that need grazing .

Presumably the gee gees do that. The OP said he wanted to use the hay that the fussy owners didn't want.

 

[An Gof]

We/I am predominantly arable farmers but have a few grass paddocks around the farm, having worked with livestock in the past I would like to have a few beef animals about the place as a paying hobby. We have a large equestrian business and there are always bales of hay that the customers decide their precious dobbin can not eat at any cost but perfectly fine!

Talking about 10/15 head, buy in spring and sell in autumn???

Fill me in please lads, grandfather in law had 1000 head of beef here years ago and I would like a few about

I know you said its for a hobby but its an every day tie.
When we decided to go out of sheep i said to father that we should keep 20 pedigree ewes to maintain the flock that had been going almost 100 years. He wisely said you're either in or out of sheep so they were sold. Its like selling a herd of cows and keeping one to milk by hand for the house ......... what a tie.
I have cattle and arable and often wish i didn't have the 7 day a week tie.

 

[principal skinner]

We have over thirty horses so it’s seven days anyway, father in law and groom could provide cover for days off holidays etc

 

[principal skinner]

So, what variety, sorry breed will do well and eat nice?

 

[neilo]

We have over thirty horses so it’s seven days anyway, father in law and groom could provide cover for days off holidays etc

Thank you. Now we know that you really are just arable.

 

[Wooly]

So, what variety, sorry breed will do well and eat nice?

Sussex

Quiet, docile, don't take concentrates to finish and like shite hay !!

 

[principal skinner]

Thank you. Now we know that you really are just arable.

[emoji6]

 

[M-J-G]

Cattle will help keep the rates man at bay.

They will also tidy up paddocks and reduce equine worm burdens.

I've used cows on as paddock system to eat the good grass in order to leave tge poorer leftovers for horses.

The midden from the stables is also good bedding for cattle.