- Location
- Penzance
It might be an idea to ask around a lot of cheesemakers if they'd be willing to go into contract with you. Could also approach coffee chains and such, always a demand there 
forced to stop milking, advice on making suckle herd from dairy
- Thread starter ADHDan
- Start date
betweenthelines
Member
- Location
- southwest
First question has to be what margins are you getting from your various livestock enterprises at present. Second question has to be what margin will you need to get in future to keep the business viable. No point in going from making £200/acre out of milking cows to making £50/acre if you need £60/acre to pay the bills. Don't forget your cash flow will change, going from a monthly milk cheque to just a couple of beef cheques/year
I think if you do the sums, you'll find you'll be better off staying in Dairy even if you have to accept a lower price from a buyer further away. Or even get together will other producers under notice and organise your own haulage to a Dairy
I think if you do the sums, you'll find you'll be better off staying in Dairy even if you have to accept a lower price from a buyer further away. Or even get together will other producers under notice and organise your own haulage to a Dairy
- Location
- Summer set
Could your rear Dairy heifers or perhaps some sort of b&b and calving down for someone
Might not be your thing though.
Might not be your thing though.
Kingofgrass
Member
Location?as the title suggests, our milk buyer has announced were being axed because were somewhat out on our own, not enough dairys in the area to be viable, weve been given a 12 month notice to when they stop collecting the milk, i dont want to get rid of the cows altogether so dont suggest 'sell the lot'
ive 100ish holstein, and we run a hereford bull (and AI brit blue to the cows), weve got about 25 hereford x heifers and the same amount of blue x heifers as stock we would usually sell as finishers.
on flat land, steady winters, good grass . im after easy calving and nice temperament over gaining that extra £quid or two at market,
will the hereford x holstein make the best cows for suckler over the blue x holstein
if i get a herd of 100 hereford x holstein and buy a Brit blue bull to run with them will they produce decent calves or should i take another step away from the holstein (if it helps our cows were never huge milkers but have longevity, 14year+'s in the herd)
new to forum, first post, be gentle
- Location
- somerset
we went dairy to sucklers, forced out by an accident, we survived, but it wasn't the easiest of times, cash flow is king.
son wanted to go back in, and we have, the return of a milk cheque was magical, the plus side, was having watched every penny, we run a far tighter dairy than before.
we have used hols for double suckling, it does work, but you have to watch cow condition.
there is no doubt that it would be more profitable to stay milking, but it is down to how much do you need to cover all expenses ? you could sell your herd, they are making some serious money, and replace by sucklers. but do your sums, in the end it all comes down to money.
son wanted to go back in, and we have, the return of a milk cheque was magical, the plus side, was having watched every penny, we run a far tighter dairy than before.
we have used hols for double suckling, it does work, but you have to watch cow condition.
there is no doubt that it would be more profitable to stay milking, but it is down to how much do you need to cover all expenses ? you could sell your herd, they are making some serious money, and replace by sucklers. but do your sums, in the end it all comes down to money.
sticky
Member
- Location
- Near Stratford upon Avon
Are you tb1 or 4? I would look at trying to stay in milk ( but I have never milked) , I have however run black herefords and bb cows and my two penny's worth would be Hereford with a Charolais or bb with an Angus.
I reckon the Limousin, both male and female is now one of our most docile breeds.
Of course, if you want them to be wild, they will be wild.
And Belgian Blue x Holstein will need to be well fed and mollycoddled to keep flesh on it, and is certainly not ideal for out=wintering.
- Location
- Near Colchester
The wild limmys are not as common as they were.
There are many wild Anguses now, I know, I have some and have 9 waiting to go to the factory because of wildness as I type, in fairness this is the first year that I have culled on wildness and it is more than there would be normally out of 50 cows but I have decided to make my life safer.
There are many wild Anguses now, I know, I have some and have 9 waiting to go to the factory because of wildness as I type, in fairness this is the first year that I have culled on wildness and it is more than there would be normally out of 50 cows but I have decided to make my life safer.
The Grinch
Member
- Location
- Staffordshire
Some really good posts to listen to. Depends if you can find another milk buyer and if you enjoy milking. We used to milk 60 cows but now keep 80 sucklers . I work 65 hours off farm and my dad is on pension so we haven’t the big pressure to make loads of money, good job as you won’t out of sucklers. Yes it is nice to have cows around but it’s never the same as a herd of dairy’s filling the tank. People also think sucklers are easier than milking, at times they are but they can be quite labour intensive too, dehorning,castrating,worming,extra fencing (dairy cows don’t need any) plus you always seem to have so many groups grazing at any one time compared to the one dairy herd and the biggest problem when to get rid of the calves, straight of the cow or keep a bit longer as you never know what you’re going to draw ?
Kingofgrass
Member
If it was me “sell the cows if you can’t find a buyer” have you tried yew tree ? For me it’s dairy farming and that’s it.beef and sheep don’t turn enough profit for capital invested...tin hat on for the replies to this but that’s my advice
personally I think Holstein & x cows will make a lot hard work for you, although wean bigger calves but not get in calf as easily surely a freshly calved or close to calving Holstein will easily over finance something more suitable - , you could rear your existing youngstock to sell as down calvers to keep your income up in the set up years 1&2 .as the title suggests, our milk buyer has announced were being axed because were somewhat out on our own, not enough dairys in the area to be viable, weve been given a 12 month notice to when they stop collecting the milk, i dont want to get rid of the cows altogether so dont suggest 'sell the lot'
ive 100ish holstein, and we run a hereford bull (and AI brit blue to the cows), weve got about 25 hereford x heifers and the same amount of blue x heifers as stock we would usually sell as finishers.
on flat land, steady winters, good grass . im after easy calving and nice temperament over gaining that extra £quid or two at market,
will the hereford x holstein make the best cows for suckler over the blue x holstein
if i get a herd of 100 hereford x holstein and buy a Brit blue bull to run with them will they produce decent calves or should i take another step away from the holstein (if it helps our cows were never huge milkers but have longevity, 14year+'s in the herd)
new to forum, first post, be gentle
Remaining milk producers have this issue here some have formed a supply group to the local coop dairy .
yes I have had some nervous AA
- Location
- East Sussex
There is too great an emphasis on this thread as to what breed and not enough on what is the target market.
The OP does not say where he is and to make an informed decision a location would help.
In my humble experience using a Holstein and crossing it with anything is usually not the best route for getting beef animals. What has already been suggested in the keep it simple message with beef is true. ADHDan obviously will have plenty of buildings but successful beef operations (profitable) tend to outwinter and use only cheap feed and be Spring calving. A Holstein is not well suited to this regime.
Do you have a good store cattle outlet near you, large finisher or good diverse market. Most important of all is the TB status of the area as this can make a decision for you as to whether you try to finish the cattle yourself or whether you want to buy calves in to multiple suckle.
The OP does not say where he is and to make an informed decision a location would help.
In my humble experience using a Holstein and crossing it with anything is usually not the best route for getting beef animals. What has already been suggested in the keep it simple message with beef is true. ADHDan obviously will have plenty of buildings but successful beef operations (profitable) tend to outwinter and use only cheap feed and be Spring calving. A Holstein is not well suited to this regime.
Do you have a good store cattle outlet near you, large finisher or good diverse market. Most important of all is the TB status of the area as this can make a decision for you as to whether you try to finish the cattle yourself or whether you want to buy calves in to multiple suckle.
- Location
- Ceredigion
Main thing is to have a tight calving pattern. That way you cit the work load down and you can manage them better
- Location
- Ledbury, Herefordshire
No additional input other than this probably being a worthwhile read: https://www.nationalbeefassociation...eps-to-improve-profitability-teagasc-2016.pdf
Zero Homes
Member
- Location
- North Wales
Saler cows put to the char Bull. Finish or sell as stores.
Jonny B88
Member
- Location
- ballykelly. NI
Agree with the Hereford crosses being the best option here. However personally I wouldn’t have any holstein influences anywhere near a suckler herd, non extreme or extreme. Also realise there is an element of attachment to the animals.
Jonny B88
Member
- Location
- ballykelly. NI
Hybrid vigour is free why not grab it with both hands?