Autumn block breeding opinions please

[Bovine719pattoncora]

Hi all, It's my first time posting so I'm sorry if it's not written well.

I am just in the process of switching from an all year calving predominately holstein herd (few crosses as well) to an autumn block, since i doubt the holsteins will fit nicely into a 12 week block id like to know what breeds/breeding other people have used and how happy they were with the resulting cattle? (good and bad experiences welcomed). I've had some people saying to look into LIC genetics but honestly don't know much about them?

Just some info about the system (not set in stone yet):
- Aiming to average 8500L
- Start calving at the end of August with a 12 week block.
- Cattle housed and TMR fed in early lactation and then turned out and buffer fed (when needed) in spring and early summer.
- Milk Contract likely to be based on components.

Thanks for the help, anything is appreciated!

 

[Beef farmer]

Who do you supply?

 

[In the pit]

You need to get to a 500/550 kg cow

 

[Beef farmer]

You need to get to a 500/550 kg cow

And get 8500l average? Share your secrets.

 

[Beef farmer]

You need to get to a 500/550 kg cow

At reasonable solids that would be 680kgms

 

[Will Blackburn]

Better with a 7000l average? More high margin litres.

 

[Beef farmer]

Better with a 7000l average? More high margin litres.

That should allow grazing from calving till November with some supplement, then turn out in feb/March with non

 

[newholland]

Stick with your Holsteins, they will be fine, aim for 9 weeks, 9000lts and 3 weeks holiday. Calve them in Oct / Nov and keep them inside as soon as they calve so you can feed them properly. They will be happy on grass 24/7 from march onwards with a bit of cake in the parlour for the high yielders. Give the buffer feeding a miss and sell your mixer wagon.

ps, don't faff about with getting your herd in the block - just stop serving, keep milking and get through the pain barrier as quick as possible.

 

[In the pit]

Sorry thought it said 6500 got me glasses on now
Like someone said 7000 lts self feed silage and minimal cake

 

[Beef farmer]

Stick with your Holsteins, they will be fine, aim for 9 weeks, 9000lts and 3 weeks holiday. Calve them in Oct / Nov and keep them inside as soon as they calve so you can feed them properly. They will be happy on grass 24/7 from march onwards with a bit of cake in the parlour for the high yielders. Give the buffer feeding a miss and sell your mixer wagon.

Produce a chunk of milk when it's not wanted. May as well calve in feb ? Arla are sending strong signals they want milk in July/december I believe

 

[newholland]

pro's and con's …..

 

[Beef farmer]

110% but supplying what is wanted in a challenging climate going forward is critical

 

[newholland]

Agree absolutely.

Some milk buyers do pay a premium for cows calving in Oct.
Find a milk contact to fit the lifestyle you and the farm want. There is loads of options out there.

Right, I have things to do, bye for now.

 

[Princess Pooper]

Hi all, It's my first time posting so I'm sorry if it's not written well.

I am just in the process of switching from an all year calving predominately holstein herd (few crosses as well) to an autumn block, since i doubt the holsteins will fit nicely into a 12 week block id like to know what breeds/breeding other people have used and how happy they were with the resulting cattle? (good and bad experiences welcomed). I've had some people saying to look into LIC genetics but honestly don't know much about them?

Just some info about the system (not set in stone yet):
- Aiming to average 8500L
- Start calving at the end of August with a 12 week block.
- Cattle housed and TMR fed in early lactation and then turned out and buffer fed (when needed) in spring and early summer.
- Milk Contract likely to be based on components.

Thanks for the help, anything is appreciated!

We have a pedigree Holstein half way house to your system. Start calving Aug, aim to get all replacements born in Aug and Sept (sexed semen). Housed at night once calved. Contract is for cheese production so breeding for components. But we do not keep a tight block - we swap to beef AI and have a tail to March. By default we are breeding replacements from the most fertile older cows and heifers. Nice block of heifers to rear. But allowing a bit of leeway by breeding the less fertile to beef rather than culling as soon as they slip back a bit. We do not sync and use few fertility treatments. For us it also works as our staff (me!!) and our housing could not cope with the whole herd being a tight block, even though only small in numbers. Later calvers can be outwintered for at least the first part of the dry period and depending on the weather and grass, even in milk they may be out into November (only the stale cows obviously). Only downside is that the later (usually older) calvers lose out a bit on the straights which we reduce a month or so after turnout so are not milking to full potential (and this probably also affects their fertility),

 

[Princess Pooper]

Give the buffer feeding a miss and sell your mixer wagon.

Depends where OP is (yet another with no location in profile). If in low rainfall area then buffer feeds needed for Holsteins from June.

 

[In the pit]

They'll be dry July Aug if he calves in end aug

 

[Princess Pooper]

They'll be dry July Aug if he calves in end aug

But in the same post it recommended he calve them in Oct/Nov, so they won't be dry in June/July.

 

[newholland]

If low rainfall, run a holistic grazing system and you will have tons of grass in a heatwave. Buffer feeding is ideal for people who want to sell ingredients or manufacture mixer wagons. Get your farming system correct.

But as everybody knows, there is no right or wrong way to farm....so long as what you do works for you then it is happy days.

 

[In the pit]

But in the same post it recommended he calve them in Oct/Nov, so they won't be dry in June/July.

Op said calve end Aug , someone else suggested oct/nov

 

[Beef farmer]

The op poses a question and then clears off, so probably best we dont worry about it too much