Black/white bulls

[nelly55]

I am fed up of seeing them,British friesen but can’t get them to decent weights grading O+ but not adding up to decent money.There won’t be any more after this year where is best to market them ,not a market andwill only use stun only places.This morning I feel like just saying to hell with it.Offers on a postcard

 

[dinderleat]

Just take them to market and sell as stores why are you being so picky?

 

[Fergieman]

what do you call a decent weight and what age? O+ shows they are a good shape for b&w's

 

[nelly55]

what do you call a decent weight and what age? O+ shows they are a good shape for b&w's

16 months 260kg upwards.They are not Holstein type

 

[RAF]

Oh what are you feeding them

 

[Farmer1001]

16 months to get to 260kgs is the issue. Cut them, grow them and store them. Store buyers are more generous with their cheque book than processors...

 

[dinderleat]

16 months to get to 260kgs is the issue. Cut them, grow them and store them. Store buyers are more generous with their cheque book than processors...

Holsteins would smash 260kg at 16th month perhaps it’s the wrong breed

 

[An Gof]

16 months 260kg upwards.They are not Holstein type

If you can’t hit 260kg in 16 months with B&W bulls you are doing something very wrong. I’d be looking to hit 300kg dead at 13 months or less.

 

[dinderleat]

I presume the op is talking about bulls and not steers if it’s steers just grow then for another 6 months so kill at 20-22 months

 

[HarryB97]

Do you have a nutritionist?

 

[Farmer1001]

Holsteins would smash 260kg at 16th month perhaps it’s the wrong breed

Horses for courses

 

[Fergieman]

what's the feeding regime?

 

[J 1177]

The feed makes a hell of a difference with them, we gave up doing them as we were getting too many problems with them, too many bad dooers. It wasn't the feed it was where we sourced the calves, but it sounds like you are getting decent calves so I would look at your feeding regime first.

 

[gwi1890]

I find it cheaper just to sell them as stroes at 18 months, they range from £550- £800 not a lot in it but saying that calves are only £80 and having them grazing is cheaper than topping + they are out wintered, at certain times of the year beef finishers are mad for them doesn’t matter how thin they are they just want the frame.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

9 month old, been on ad lib since they started taking pellets. Straw once a day, forkful of decent silage each end of day per pen too keep their digestion settled. First pull is usually 12-12.5 month 280-310kg DW comfortably O+2 or better. Soon as they hit 14 months it's goodbye. Last year I had 1 that only got to 255kg by 14 month and graded at a O2. It was bloody horrible too look at. I've got 2 now that are going on the next load. Bloody camels. 5ft 10 (my height) at the shoulder and only 15 inches wide all through!! Look healthy and bright but just bred wrong all together

 

[nelly55]

9 month old, been on ad lib since they started taking pellets. Straw once a day, forkful of decent silage each end of day per pen too keep their digestion settled. First pull is usually 12-12.5 month 280-310kg DW comfortably O+2 or better. Soon as they hit 14 months it's goodbye. Last year I had 1 that only got to 255kg by 14 month and graded at a O2. It was bloody horrible too look at. I've got 2 now that are going on the next load. Bloody camels. 5ft 10 (my height) at the shoulder and only 15 inches wide all through!! Look healthy and bright but just bred wrong all together

I think you hit the nail on the head on breeding and type.These are true British Fres and are never going to be big animals that I have.
You can’t alter the breeding.I’m happy to get a good shape and finish last weeks hit 300kg plus deadweight O+.I think these just needed that little extra time.

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