holywell farmer
Member
- Location
- holywell, north wales
just out off interest is still popular these days, very few seem to finish bulls in north wales
Bull beef ?
- Thread starter holywell farmer
- Start date
- Location
- Shropshire
I would say that by and large, male cattle born in 2016 made more money kept entire than steers based on the 2017 trade.
Cattle sold on the 2016 trade were far more valuable as steers however, so it's swings and roundabouts.
holywell farmer
Member
- Location
- holywell, north wales
Is more expensive to feed bull beef ?
- Location
- Shropshire
Again, it depends.
Conti bulls are ready in 12-13 months whereas steers take a lot longer.
The main difference that bulls were not at a major price per kg discount to steers, and so we're making similar money at much younger ages.
beltbreaker
Member
- Location
- Ross-shire
Agree with @Hampton 44 commercial SMX AAX bulls finished last year 357kg @ 430days which is slightly heavier but 20days slower than 5yr average.
Great for us sell malting barley buy feed at harvest and fill 2t bulk feeder with barley mix 2-3 times a week.
Would love to finish off grass but all my grass used for cows and calves, sheep or silage. Opportunity cost against cereals doesn't stack up neither does store ring 9 out if 10yrs
Great for us sell malting barley buy feed at harvest and fill 2t bulk feeder with barley mix 2-3 times a week.
Would love to finish off grass but all my grass used for cows and calves, sheep or silage. Opportunity cost against cereals doesn't stack up neither does store ring 9 out if 10yrs
holywell farmer
Member
- Location
- holywell, north wales
Straw. Can bulk cattle up ?
beltbreaker
Member
- Location
- Ross-shire
Slows barley going through the rumen and acts as a buffer. It's very important they have some in front of them
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Even with my natives, keeping them entire this year has lead to markedly improved growth rates and I hope a better return than selling them as store steers. Not had problems with behaviour either. Very placid. Would definitely do it again. The shorter the time I keep them on the place the better, and I don't have a big area of grass to turn them out again, but plenty of part loads of cereals and usually straw so it suits me.
If I had lots of extensive grass and no arable it would be a different story.
Finding a system, breed, growing and finishing system that suits your farm and set up is most important. Bulls suit us but wouldn't suit others.
If I had lots of extensive grass and no arable it would be a different story.
Finding a system, breed, growing and finishing system that suits your farm and set up is most important. Bulls suit us but wouldn't suit others.
marco
Member
- Location
- tipperary, ireland
Anyone have a quick how to on finishing young bulls? From management on the cow to finished?
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
What do you run there @DrWazzock ?
Over here bull price is about 10% behind steer but they can certainly grow...
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
There is a thread on here currently I'll tag you into.
Low interest rates have taken the shine off bull beef, when money was costing 10 % the 12 months saved would pay for half the feed or more.
For most purposes intensive bulls gives a great , repeatable end product and has real potential to take some of the costs out of running a
hill suckler cow herd
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Up to this year I ran British white cows with a beef Shorthorn bull. Not bad old things to get on with but won't get the confirmation of a continental. We tend to have clover leys here that were too good for the British whites which tend to favour poorer grasses, lower protein. We ended up with too much milk and the cows too fat. Next time I intend to use a native cross continental cow or maybe a Stabiliser cow with initially an Angus bull and see how that goes.
I originally bought the British whites as a herd that were being cleared out. They were too old really and a couple of heifers I bought with them were too big and old at bulling, out of sync with rest of the herd and had calving difficulties. The whole episode was hard work to say the least.
Next time I might get it right.
Bull price is lower than steer price but when you consider the shorter time on the farm it helps. I don't have a big area of grass, so keeping them in and feeding on cereals and straw suits me well. I can do without the castrating hassle as well. Had a couple of one stoners this year which was reason left them entire and it turned out better than expected with growth rates so reckon Bulls are the way now. Father always left them as Bulls up in Scotland even back in the 1920's.
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
Thanks for the reply, quite interested in your system as I notice we tend to think the same about many things.
You have a better way of putting those things though.
What gross margins would you say would be realistic? Based on own barley fed at £100 a ton, a bit for the protein and straw, milk powder £70ish and then the continental Bull calf cost £200...
Would you say £500 is realistic? Before overheads are then taken in account of course...
Would you say £500 is realistic? Before overheads are then taken in account of course...
- Location
- Gods country (England)
You’re not going to buy much of a continental bull calf for £200, nearer £350 would be more realistic.
- Location
- Limousin/Charentes toad land
- Location
- Limousin/Charentes toad land
We change back and forth (different batches) from hay or straw depending on what looks will be more plentiful