Most profitable cow system

[Bossfarmer]

interested to see peoples opinions on this

 

[Beef farmer]

Milking them

 

[CollCrofter]

Suckled calves... Because I have no other choice

 

[Jackov Altraids]

Surely the answer would be to sell whenever the market was high but in reality it will be based on the system used.
If you are geared to selling calves at 8 months old, you probably need rid to be ready for the next calving. I'm sure this is the most profitable suckler system as it leaves the the finishing to the experts on efficient systems but if you fear calving with your sheds full of last years stock because you can't sell due to TB, this may not be an option.

 

[Treg]

Whatever ever system your good at & what your farm is geared up to do.
No right or wrong to this question, seen farms good at doing either.

 

[dinderleat]

Sell the suckler’s buy in weaned calves you will loose less. All being serious if your profit is less than your bps why bother?

 

[The Ruminant]

60,000 head on 1m acres in Australia....

 

[Hilly]

60,000 head on 1m acres in Australia....

All that glitters is not gold ? How much dose a person need ?

 

[unlacedgecko]

All that glitters is not gold ? How much dose a person need ?

I'd be content with 60,000 head on 1mil acres...

 

[Hilly]

I'd be content with 60,000 head on 1mil acres...

Even it was loosing you 2 dollars per head ? Just because something is big dose t always mean it makes money ? I’d rather make a Living of six cows as 60 ooo cows

 

[unlacedgecko]

Even it was loosing you 2 dollars per head ? Just because something is big dose t always mean it makes money ? I’d rather make a Living of six cows as 60 ooo cows

True enough. More likely to make a living off the 60,000 though.

 

[Hilly]

True enough. More likely to make a living off the 60,000 though.

I’ve no idea.

 

[Agrivator]

Suckler cows are unusual in that traditionally they have not been a method of making spare cash to live on. If you want cash, then you need to work for a living - hens, calf rearing, pigs, retailing whatever you can produce and retail.

But Suckler Cows have historically been a way of building up wealth, and when the time comes to cash them - to buy out a sibling, to buy land, to provide a retirement sum at the farm sale - they are usually the most valuable asset to sell.

Always remember that there isn't much value in a field of stubble or even in a flock of run-of-the-mill ewes. But a herd of good cows with calves at foot has long been the equivalent of camels to an Arab Gentleman.

 

[Hilly]

Suckler cows are unusual in that traditionally they have not been a method of making spare cash to live on. If you want cash, then you need to work for a living - hens, calf rearing, pigs, retailing whatever you can produce and retail.

But Suckler Cows have historically been a way of building up wealth, and when the time comes to cash them - to buy out a sibling, to buy land, to provide a retirement sum at the farm sale - they are usually the most valuable asset to sell.

Always remember that there isn't much value in a field of stubble or even in a flock of run-of-the-mill ewes. But a herd of good cows with calves at foot has long been the equivalent of camels to an Arab Gentleman.

Or a black n white cob to a gypo

 

[Agrivator]

Or a black n white cob to a gypo

Exactly. But an Arab Gentleman would be out of his depth at Appleby.

 

[Bossfarmer]

Milking them

at what ppl would be equivalent to sucklers?

 

[Bossfarmer]

Surely the answer would be to sell whenever the market was high but in reality it will be based on the system used.
If you are geared to selling calves at 8 months old, you probably need rid to be ready for the next calving. I'm sure this is the most profitable suckler system as it leaves the the finishing to the experts on efficient systems but if you fear calving with your sheds full of last years stock because you can't sell due to TB, this may not be an option.

the concern with selling suckled calves is that unless you push them hard with protein etc then theyll struggle to do much more than cover the cost of the cow for the year, keeping them on to over £1000 a head seems sensible as theyre already settled into their environment and will put weight on quicker than if moved to another holding, also the cost of feed from pushing the calves on, if they eat half a tonne of feed at 230/t it soon adds up

 

[Jackov Altraids]

the concern with selling suckled calves is that unless you push them hard with protein etc then theyll struggle to do much more than cover the cost of the cow for the year, keeping them on to over £1000 a head seems sensible as theyre already settled into their environment and will put weight on quicker than if moved to another holding, also the cost of feed from pushing the calves on, if they eat half a tonne of feed at 230/t it soon adds up

Absolutely. That is why it is probably best to continually assess their cost and sale value and try to aim to sell at the best advantage which could be at any point depending on weather, markets and other circumstance. Most of us won't have that luxury as by maximising your facilities, you are normally limited to when you can sell.

 

[Cowcalf]

system has to suit your ground and what you can grow or buy at favourable prices , no one system suits all

 

[Beef farmer]

at what ppl would be equivalent to sucklers?

I'd chance milk at 20ppl over suckers. Neither would be good