Contract calf rearing

[Millie123]

Looking to start contract calf rearing, has anyone done this before if so pro’s and con’s, Costings and licences needed please? Calves would be required to move to our working beef farm until weaned.

 

[jimmer]

Location location location
TB TB TB

 

[Jdunn55]

Location location location
TB TB TB

Unless housed all year round but even then the beef herd could put you under restrictions if they went down too

 

[Zippy768]

Unless housed all year round but even then the beef herd could put you under restrictions if they went down too

Separate holdings are very possible

 

[Rossymons]

With TB being the problem it could be, i would say buy your own and be beholden upon only yourself. You control the numbers, feeding- the lot.

If you cant get the capital together to do that then rent out your sheds and land and keep the cash for no risk.

 

[HarryB97]

Forget about doing it on contract calf rearing is a very expensive and challenging job without giving away a large proportion of your income to someone else. If the rest of your beef cattle our housed then it's pretty easy to avoid TB and badger proof your yard but if you graze most of your cattle or are in a high risk area then I would avoid calf rearing unless you're happy to keep them till they're strong stores and then selling privatley to an AFU or wait till you're clear.

 

[dinderleat]

Could you not milk cows?

 

[Millie123]

I rear calf’s for myself anyway, but wanting more of a monthly income on the side of my full time job. My idea was for them to be sent back as soon as there off milk.

 

[hel123]

I rear calf’s for myself anyway, but wanting more of a monthly income on the side of my full time job. My idea was for them to be sent back as soon as there off milk.

They won't fetch them when you want, only when they are ready.

These firms will quote you a good rate up until 110kg or 130kg and it will look very attractive and then a peppercorn rate of x amount a kg for the excess weight, but they will assure you that the calves will have gone before they reach the excess weight.

Then the calves will arrive at an inflated price because they are of high health status apparently but in reality it's to make them to expensive for you to sell them to anyone else except back to them.

Now they've got you by the short and curlies, they won't fetch them when they've reached 110 or 130kg as it makes sense for them to leave them with you to grow as where else can you buy the extra kg at the peppercorn rate they are paying you and in reality it won't pay your cost to put that extra kg on either.

You can't sell them anywhere else as they were to expensive to begin with, you've had every excuse why they haven't been moved but don't worry they are now 160 to 170kg and the reps told you there going next week and the next batch will be different ?

 

[Beef farmer]

They won't fetch them when you want, only when they are ready.

These firms will quote you a good rate up until 110kg or 130kg and it will look very attractive and then a peppercorn rate of x amount a kg for the excess weight, but they will assure you that the calves will have gone before they reach the excess weight.

Then the calves will arrive at an inflated price because they are of high health status apparently but in reality it's to make them to expensive for you to sell them to anyone else except back to them.

Now they've got you by the short and curlies, they won't fetch them when they've reached 110 or 130kg as it makes sense for them to leave them with you to grow as where else can you buy the extra kg at the peppercorn rate they are paying you and in reality it won't pay your cost to put that extra kg on either.

You can't sell them anywhere else as they were to expensive to begin with, you've had every excuse why they haven't been moved but don't worry they are now 160 to 170kg and the reps told you there going next week and the next batch will be different ?

Sound like youve got the t-shirt

 

[hel123]

Certainly have, and to make it worse I've got 2 different brands of them.

Must have been gluten for punishment

 

[Millie123]

if I was to do it I wouldn’t do it through a company, I’d go round to local dairy farms. Thank you for your help

 

[som farmer]

They won't fetch them when you want, only when they are ready.

These firms will quote you a good rate up until 110kg or 130kg and it will look very attractive and then a peppercorn rate of x amount a kg for the excess weight, but they will assure you that the calves will have gone before they reach the excess weight.

Then the calves will arrive at an inflated price because they are of high health status apparently but in reality it's to make them to expensive for you to sell them to anyone else except back to them.

Now they've got you by the short and curlies, they won't fetch them when they've reached 110 or 130kg as it makes sense for them to leave them with you to grow as where else can you buy the extra kg at the peppercorn rate they are paying you and in reality it won't pay your cost to put that extra kg on either.

You can't sell them anywhere else as they were to expensive to begin with, you've had every excuse why they haven't been moved but don't worry they are now 160 to 170kg and the reps told you there going next week and the next batch will be different ?

funny you should say that, my views exactly the same, and quite a few who have tried them, they now say it as well !!!

 

[Werzle]

if I was to do it I wouldn’t do it through a company, I’d go round to local dairy farms. Thank you for your help

Thats the way to go, they would probably pay the feed bills , vet bills etc and then you can cost your labour ,premises etc. Probably could set up a shed as different holding for tbt on and off, there are ways to do it

 

[Millie123]

Do you know what will need to be done regarding moving holding numbers with the ministry. We have a calf rearing unit all ready set up so wouldn’t want to build a new shed just yet