Best breed for small holding & profit

[Richk22]

Hi all, I have a background on agricultural engineering and am currently an arborist. I have some land with a cowshed on it so am wanting to get some cattle mainly for myself but a small profit would be great!
I’m wondering what breed people recommend? I am looking into dexters as they are small and a bit easier on the ground. I’m wondering what sort of profit is expected from a small scale farm?
Thanks

 

[AGN76]

Lim x Blue
Saler x CH

 

[delilah]

'What breed' comes in at about number 9 of the top 10 questions you need to be asking if you are expecting a profit. .

 

[Richk22]

'What breed' comes in at about number 9 of the top 10 questions you need to be asking if you are expecting a profit. .

Can you elaborate on that please? I’m keen to learn but it’s a hard industry to get into

 

[Kiwi Pete]

More a matter of marketing than anything else.

If your calves will be going through a sale ring then.... I just don't know. Head along to a few sales and see what sells.

If you want decent profit then you'd probably go for a type that throws a lower value calf at next to no cost of carry, over a type that has your name in the market report and chugs inputs for fun.

As I said a just few hours ago a bull breeder I used to spread fert for was lamenting so many of his cow farmers are selling farms to be planted in trees, he doesn't know where he'll be in 15 years time.
Cows that need to eat haylage and fodder crops just to maintain themselves, are maybe 30 years past their use-by date.

If the goal is more a break-even to small profit, that opens things up, most cattle can do this. Most cattle do do this.

 

[delilah]

Can you elaborate on that please? I’m keen to learn but it’s a hard industry to get into

First question has to be 'what do you mean by profit' ?

Are you just looking to cover the variable costs - feed, vet and meds, etc - or does the enterprise need to cover the fixed costs: foundation stock, truck/ trailer, handling equipment, fencing, utilities, insurance etc ?

 

[Devil's advocate]

Don't expect to make much.

Make sure boundary fences, housing & grassland are in good order.

I would buy Hereford or Angus cross dairy calves rear them to 16 month old & sell them as stores/bulling heifers. You do of course need to know how to rear calves.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

An elderly friend bought twelve animals each year to bring on. He had all the rough old grazing and three sheds to keep them in during winter time.
He made his own hay.
His old mate did the butchering but I can’t remember who did the slaughtering.
As they were kept well with little stress and as a consequence there was never a lack of local customers for the meat.
SS

 

[delilah]

He made his own hay.

scythe ?

 

[Global ovine]

The first question is which farming system delivers the most profit. Hopefully you know your land well, because pasture grown and saved across the year is critical and getting this wrong can be very costly. Smaller holdings have fewer options when it gets wet as cut up pasture takes a long time to heal. Having a ready "out", such as destocking options, is advisable.

A profitable option for you may be to contract rear young stock for somebody else. You know the financial outcome before you sign the contract because you will know the liveweight targets to be met and how much pasture and bought in feed will be needed via feed budgeting, simple.
No stock transport costs, just some routine animal health costs.
This system is quite common in NZ dairying where the land value determines that the dairy farm becomes a milking platform, or/and having somebody else rear young stock removes seasonal labour hassles.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

scythe ?

Nuffield tractor and International baler.
That era
SS

 

[Jasper]

Nuffield tractor and International baler.
That era
SS

Where we are that era is now

 

[spin cycle]

other ppls horses

 

[blackieman83]

other ppls horses

Have you some to send to him?

 

[Wood field]

Small farm near us has dexters , they sell to local eateries, chap told me every calf born is already spoken for
A lad we’ve bought Dunn Galloways from does meat box’s with Galloways
It can be done if your prepared to put the leg work in

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Funnily enough I see that my old friends Grandson has taken after his Grandfather in keeping a few moo-horns.
Thirty years forward and 12,000 miles away!
I’m so pleased to see this
SS

 

[Aspiring Peasants]

What breed isn't the first question you should be asking. IMO it should be what market I'm aiming to sell into and what system will be best for the farm I have. You can then decide which breed or cross is best for that system.

 

[Chae1]

Highlanders. Nice to look at, easy care/calving.

Demand for beef.

 

[BRB John]

I'd personally like to have a small herd of Irish mollies but how much the slaughterhouse would like the smaller cattle is anyone's guess.
Even a traditional Aberdeen Angus would be a more commercial friendly native.

 

[Welderloon]

Native type breeds - Lincoln red, original Angus, any of the Galloway types, Luing, blue grey will all be hardy enough to survive with minimal inputs, have decent feet, should cross with any bull & have a bit of longevity without wrecking fencing like the horned breeds & allow you to learn as you go.
Tip - regardless of which breed you do choose, when buying foundation stock for best results buy from a recognised breeder with some form of dedicated health status