Feeding Sucker Calves

[Happy]

Heard that.

Both sales have had a lot less calves than previous years. People holding onto calves that haven’t done aswell this summer?

Could be.
Surprising though as would have thought most folk that sell them annually at weaning do so as they don't have shed space, fodder, bedding etc. to overwinter them.
Maybe there are just less of them about as in the where have all the sucklers gone thread.
Today's sale was traditionally a Perth one with 2500-3000 head and go on till after 8pm. Nowhere near the numbers from that area now.

 

[DB67]

Could be.
Surprising though as would have thought most folk that sell them annually at weaning do so as they don't have shed space, fodder, bedding etc. to overwinter them.
Maybe there are just less of them about as in the where have all the sucklers gone thread.
Today's sale was traditionally a Perth one with 2500-3000 head and go on till after 8pm. Nowhere near the numbers from that area now.

Yeh, think there was 600 head less at last weeks sale on the year, and looking at today’s catalogue it would be at least the same down.

There not all going to Lanark

 

[Lovegoodstock]

Amazes me that myself included, will go 4 hours drive for mule gimmer lamb sales, folks from that area come to my local sale for older sheep, further for bulls etc, yet seeing the prices for suckled calves we seem way out in our area, and yet buyers wont travel. Local sale hit 1000 for best beast last Friday, was never a show beast, but fed well, very heavy as was the run nd would grade an e and would only I guess be 2.20 ppk. Appreciate suckled calves are the last thing you want to put on a lorry for a 4 hour trip post weaning but sure there is a 100 quid difference on many, sure plenty would be happy to sell private and wean calves to sell a couple of weeks after to get over stress and reduce pneumonia risk, saying that we used to buy out of Kirkby at suckled calf sale, recipe for disaster but never had an issue

 

[Henarar]

Amazes me that myself included, will go 4 hours drive for mule gimmer lamb sales, folks from that area come to my local sale for older sheep, further for bulls etc, yet seeing the prices for suckled calves we seem way out in our area, and yet buyers wont travel. Local sale hit 1000 for best beast last Friday, was never a show beast, but fed well, very heavy as was the run nd would grade an e and would only I guess be 2.20 ppk. Appreciate suckled calves are the last thing you want to put on a lorry for a 4 hour trip post weaning but sure there is a 100 quid difference on many, sure plenty would be happy to sell private and wean calves to sell a couple of weeks after to get over stress and reduce pneumonia risk, saying that we used to buy out of Kirkby at suckled calf sale, recipe for disaster but never had an issue

plenty from down here go on a long trip, is that not right @gone up the hill

 

[Lovegoodstock]

For suckled calves? They must have missed thame to get some bargains!!!

 

[pine_guy]

Yeh, think there was 600 head less at last weeks sale on the year, and looking at today’s catalogue it would be at least the same down.

There not all going to Lanark

Are more not being sold direct/privately. Border livestock seem to move a lot on such a way.

 

[Top Tip.]

Heard that.

Both sales have had a lot less calves than previous years. People holding onto calves that haven’t done aswell this summer?

It has been similar up here a lot less calves been traded,the main sale in Dingwall would have been 500 calves light,the main sale in Huntly was less too but that was to be expected as there has been a couple of large herd dispersal in that area. Could it be that folk are overwintering them to catch the big jump in trade that has been evident after New Year.

 

[gone up the hill]

plenty from down here go on a long trip, is that not right

Yep every week from Sedgemoor and cant be a problem as the same buyers keep on coming back week after week for more.

A bit ironic of @Lovegoodstock to find it strange that buyers drive for 4 hours to a sheep sale when he is quite happy to haul his breeding sheep 4 hours to Exeter market to sell.

 

[harperfarmer]

I think you rather missed the point he was making.

 

[Fragonard]

Is oil seed rape straw ok for feeding to cows now? Any good? Or is it harmful?

 

[Hilly]

Is oil seed rape straw ok for feeding to cows now? Any good? Or is it harmful?

I doubt they will even eat it will they ?

 

[Top Tip.]

Is oil seed rape straw ok for feeding to cows now? Any good? Or is it harmful?

Seemingly depends if it has been treated with Alkokerb,if it has been it is not good don’t know why just read it on net last night.

 

[Baling Hay]

Is oil seed rape straw ok for feeding to cows now? Any good? Or is it harmful?

Don't feed to dry cows, too high in potash.

 

[DB67]

It’s decent bedding.