Dairy and Sucklers

[gpcwm]

Currently run a suckler herd about 80 spring and 50 autumn calving. Thinking about different systems at moment just want peoples opinions. Spring calving herd is very extensive kept outside on rough hill no concentrates just silage beet bit of straw and calve outside graze for summer then wean can't do any cheaper. . Autumn herd calve out then housed for best part of 5/6 months. Wondering could i logistically change the Autumn cows for dairy cows install a used parlour and milk instead during winter/spring. AI some with sexed dairy semen for replacements then sweep with same bulls used for suckler herd - Angus and Saler. These calfs then feed our beef finishing enterprise. Have mixer wagon and pit space can grow maize, grass and cereals. Thoughts please?

 

[Beef farmer]

Another thread on this started yesterday. Join on that 1

 

[thewalrus]

Buyer
Finance
Are you prepared for the extra work load.
Ie milking Sunday morning and evening etc

 

[gpcwm]

Another thread on this started yesterday. Join on that 1

That thread was to replace sucklers this one is could they logistically both be run on same farm. Would be a way of dipping toe in water.

 

[Beef farmer]

That thread was to replace sucklers this one is could they logistically both be run on same farm. Would be a way of dipping toe in water.

Dont ever think youll feck about with some sucklers if youve got milking cows.

 

[M-J-G]

Dont ever think youll feck about with some sucklers if youve got milking cows.

I know plenty with both.

 

[dairyrow]

dairy going the same way as free range chickens if all these beef guys come in. I wouldnt think youd be big enough with 50 cows to bother with. just look what meadow foods have done to their small producers

 

[dinderleat]

Vending machine in the right place or process the milk, but milk contract is key in any situation

 

[milkloss]

Watching this one with interest. Is there room in the milking job for a few more? Exmilker changed to sucklers over a decade ago.

 

[som farmer]

Watching this one with interest. Is there room in the milking job for a few more? Exmilker changed to sucklers over a decade ago.

well at least you know what you are letting yourself in for! you hear about farmers getting rid of sucklers, and milk cows instead, some saying they will put robots in,
it all seems and sounds so easy, but, as those of us that have, or are milking will know its not. we went back in for £10,000, plus the cows. I wonder who is giving them advice, if it's consultants, they will be pushing for a huge investment, they, kite, tell my neighbour, his buildings are more than 10 yrs old, its time to build new ones, and they will produce figures to 'show' its profitable ! the buildings are staying!

 

[Whitewalker]

Watching this one with interest. Is there room in the milking job for a few more? Exmilker changed to sucklers over a decade ago.

How did you find going the other way to sucklers and looking back over the decade what’s your reflection on it ?

 

[milkloss]

How did you find going the other way to sucklers and looking back over the decade what’s your reflection on it ?

Life much, much easier and less stressful but the milking job wasn't stressful to a point of being a problem. Cash flow is really lumpy and took a few years to get into managing it well which is down to my not being prepared. although it cost a lot to get it, at least the milk cheque every month could be spread around to keep the wheels greased! I do miss the milkers though and really enjoyed working around the cows, the problem I had was the investment required to keep up with NVZs etc and infrastructure needing much investment to carry on efficiently and working out how I was going to pay it back.

I was in the position of Father needing to take a less active role and me starting a family so it seemed the logical way to go at the time.

 

[Whitewalker]

@milkloss With all this chat of sucklers switching to milk I’m seriously considering what you did, I have been offered off farm work which I enjoy and like the guy.

I have truthfully probably made my mind up to switch although like you I do enjoy the milkers and have a really clean healthy herd . Is there a punt at making a few quid on a low cost system part time? We could run our BF cross Angus from the dairy herd .

Kids aren’t interested and we’re small. Don’t see the logic of doing the grind for another 25 years.

It is hard to get the mind round getting from here to there!!