Bull calves

[Stevethemeat]

It’s not the calf price but the cost of feed that is the biggest part of the job each animal will need at least in excess of £600 to get it finished and weaker calves more money so the calf price is the smallest part of the equation it don’t take long to tie a lot of capital up in stock then need the feed wagon more as feed conversion goes skyward
I don’t have the answer your looking for sorry

 

[Cows 'n grass]

We've shot more calves than most over the years but had already moved away from it before Arla made us. Every beef X calf found a home this year but we still shot the few jersey bulls we had out of sexed. They aren't actually shot and wasted though, they all go as zoo food. Mine are shot on farm and sent upto Bristol zoo to feed the wolves. The zoo has had a pack of wolves that have apparently been fed exclusively on jersey bull calves for over 150 years.

These are my last 7 calves, they were all small or sick when we sold the rest. I've just pmt them and they'll be off to market very soon.

 

[Beef farmer]

We've shot more calves than most over the years but had already moved away from it before Arla made us. Every beef X calf found a home this year but we still shot the few jersey bulls we had out of sexed. They aren't actually shot and wasted though, they all go as zoo food. Mine are shot on farm and sent upto Bristol zoo to feed the wolves. The zoo has had a pack of wolves that have apparently been fed exclusively on jersey bull calves for over 150 years.

These are my last 7 calves, they were all small or sick when we sold the rest. I've just pmt them and they'll be off to market very soon. View attachment 920474View attachment 920475

@jimmer Would serve his cows with them

 

[jimmer]

@jimmer Would serve his cows with them

@jimmer bred his own half bred sweepers this year

If you ask him nicely hell take some pics of the charxjerx and the dvxkiwi

 

[ollie989898]

To be honest, I can't help but agree, if the buyer will take dairy bull calves and there are a few renegade beefers in there as well let him take them on and pay a bit back when they are finished. I'd want them off the place and be happier knowing they were off to a fine and dandy farm who was going to see them right.

 

[som farmer]

To be honest, I can't help but agree, if the buyer will take dairy bull calves and there are a few renegade beefers in there as well let him take them on and pay a bit back when they are finished. I'd want them off the place and be happier knowing they were off to a fine and dandy farm who was going to see them right.

tesco's are saying, these calves have to live till 8 weeks, and are prepared to increase the age, to make sure they are reared, and those that supply will have a choice, stay or leave. The dairy bull calve, some will produce a profit fat, a lot won't. Some farmers don't believe 20%, but tesco obviously do, bcms talk about those numbers, whether it's calves shot, or calves not registered, makes no difference. RT have jumped on the band wagon, and this ban will happen, and in all fairness, it's wrong to shoot the calves, it's done, because there is no mkt for them. In the gen publics eyes, it's obscene. But whatever anybody thinks, it's problem dairy farmers need to sort out, some have, some don't think it will happen. sainsbury's are starting long a line, of specifying what bulls you can use, for beef, why ? Certainly not for the frmrs benefit, further control of the food chain ?

 

[Sid]

tesco's are saying, these calves have to live till 8 weeks

But also have a top age limit.

 

[som farmer]

But also have a top age limit.

yes, but don't forget s/mkts are the ultimate efficiency machines, everything is done, to improve their profit, most definitely not ours.

 

[Durry cows]

We've shot more calves than most over the years but had already moved away from it before Arla made us. Every beef X calf found a home this year but we still shot the few jersey bulls we had out of sexed. They aren't actually shot and wasted though, they all go as zoo food. Mine are shot on farm and sent upto Bristol zoo to feed the wolves. The zoo has had a pack of wolves that have apparently been fed exclusively on jersey bull calves for over 150 years.

These are my last 7 calves, they were all small or sick when we sold the rest. I've just pmt them and they'll be off to market very soon. View attachment 920474View attachment 920475

Look well! Are they left entire? What’s thoughts on growth rates as bulls/bullocks

 

[ollie989898]

tesco's are saying, these calves have to live till 8 weeks, and are prepared to increase the age, to make sure they are reared, and those that supply will have a choice, stay or leave. The dairy bull calve, some will produce a profit fat, a lot won't. Some farmers don't believe 20%, but tesco obviously do, bcms talk about those numbers, whether it's calves shot, or calves not registered, makes no difference. RT have jumped on the band wagon, and this ban will happen, and in all fairness, it's wrong to shoot the calves, it's done, because there is no mkt for them. In the gen publics eyes, it's obscene. But whatever anybody thinks, it's problem dairy farmers need to sort out, some have, some don't think it will happen. sainsbury's are starting long a line, of specifying what bulls you can use, for beef, why ? Certainly not for the frmrs benefit, further control of the food chain ?

Now why the fudge isn't some kind of farming union saying to Tesco and co, ok, great, we will rear these calves on as beef/veal but you will provide a fixed price and outlets for it?

 

[som farmer]

Now why the fudge isn't some kind of farming union saying to Tesco and co, ok, great, we will rear these calves on as beef/veal but you will provide a fixed price and outlets for it?

they cant decide how little to offer, but i bet the thought is cheap uk mince, reared to rt standard, they wouldn't have to import foreign, processed in the uk.

 

[Sandpit Farm]

Now why the fudge isn't some kind of farming union saying to Tesco and co, ok, great, we will rear these calves on as beef/veal but you will provide a fixed price and outlets for it?

TBF Tesco provide one of the best milk prices on aligned contracts. If they sing - we must dance.

 

[Sandpit Farm]

There is some good advice on here I reckon. Thanks for all your responses. I will try to message those individually about offers of agreements etc.

Regarding the fate of some bull calves in the industry. I think it would be worthwhile bearing in mind that this is a public forum and speculation will be used against us. The number mentioned was 20% but I checked a while back and this is more like 4-6%. Early veal is not well accepted by the public so I suspect the 20% figure, if quoted by Tesco, is looking to address some of that.

Can mods please remove a few posts for sensitivity?

 

[kfpben]

You have two half decent calf markets within driving distance. If they’re good calves and you’re struggling to sell them why not take them to market?

Plenty of buyers round the ring at Salisbury last Monday when I went. I expect Frome would have even more.