Best time to sell in calf heifers

[BobbySusie]

hi,

I'm getting out of most of my sucklers, as I aim to milk 60 cows in Feb 20. Due to a poor beef price, I ai'd all my heifers instead of fattening them.

I have 48 Saler and Stabiliser cross heifers that are scanned in calf to sell. They start calving from March 1st to early May.

Should I winter them and sell early calvers in late Feb and so on. Or should I sell them now.

I have silage and housing for them if I need to winter them.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Sell them freshly calved in the spring

 

[Werzle]

hi,

I'm getting out of most of my sucklers, as I aim to milk 60 cows in Feb 20. Due to a poor beef price, I ai'd all my heifers instead of fattening them.

I have 48 Saler and Stabiliser cross heifers that are scanned in calf to sell. They start calving from March 1st to early May.

Should I winter them and sell early calvers in late Feb and so on. Or should I sell them now.

I have silage and housing for them if I need to winter them.

They are usually a good trade from october onwards once the suckler boys have scanned and culled a few cows and are looking for a few replacements

 

[BobbySusie]

Sell them freshly calved in the spring

Im trying to reduce workload as i'll be dairying for the first time. To be fair, i never have to assist a a saler or stabiliser heifer calve but I have had a lot of work getting calves to drink etc etc.

 

[BobbySusie]

They are usually a good trade from october onwards once the suckler boys have scanned and culled a few cows and are looking for a few replacements

Thats my own opinion. Do you think id get a much in october as id get in feb

 

[Werzle]

Thats my own opinion. Do you think id get a much in october as id get in feb

Probably, try a few at a time maybe. I like them on farm to settle in before before xmas rather than buying them right on the job tbh

 

[Werzle]

Out of interest @BobbySusie , have you a milk buyer for the amount of milk you will produce or are you going down another route?

 

[BobbySusie]

Out of interest @BobbySusie , have you a milk buyer for the amount of milk you will produce or are you going down another route?

I have a milk buyer, agreed terms on monday. I'm fortunate to have my dads brother milking 320 cows, 1st cousin milking 200 and my father in law milking all with the same co-op. I got same terms as my uncle and am covered as a member under his shares.