Next Winter

[BELOWAVERAGE]

Out of the 3 options running cull ewes until the spring is probably the best but there are plenty of blokes who are in markets every week that have been caught out buying and selling them the last couple of years. If I had spare time in the spring I'd go out lambing for other people, no risks, no costs and none of that fancy equipment needed!

I'm struggling to believe that, have you seen their figures?, or is that what they've told you, certainly not the experience I've had(but I'm only small fry), its alright going lambing for others, but you can only earn what they are prepared to pay you, there's a ceiling, where as if he were to run a 1000 grazing ewes along side his tack sheep, he'd struggle to lose money in my opinion, and if he had a fair do it would make that lambing money look pretty sick.

 

[Ysgythan]

I'm thinking of things to do to increase my margin for next winter.

I'm thinking of trading some stock, and wondering what would be most profitable . Options are store lambs, cull ewe fattening or draft ewe lambing.

I'd have to destock by 31 Mar mainly, although I have some land I could have stock on till 30 Apr.

What's the collective wisdom?

Mule ewe lambs.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Mule ewe lambs.

It's something I know nothing about. Is there much trade for mule ewe lambs come spring?

 

[Fleeced]

Not being funny but do make sure you ready to expand and fully costing all outgoings. Renting land and buying big trailers and associated tractors to tow, plus diesel if travelling distance fairly frequently must eat into the profit a fair way.

 

[TL100]

I'm struggling to believe that, have you seen their figures?, or is that what they've told you, certainly not the experience I've had(but I'm only small fry), its alright going lambing for others, but you can only earn what they are prepared to pay you, there's a ceiling, where as if he were to run a 1000 grazing ewes along side his tack sheep, he'd struggle to lose money in my opinion, and if he had a fair do it would make that lambing money look pretty sick.

How's the man going to go out and buy 1000 killers and then run them round for a few months, will you loan him 40k plus? I only suggested lambing for someone else to gain experience but perhaps he's already got that.

 

[unlacedgecko]

I'm struggling to believe that, have you seen their figures?, or is that what they've told you, certainly not the experience I've had(but I'm only small fry), its alright going lambing for others, but you can only earn what they are prepared to pay you, there's a ceiling, where as if he were to run a 1000 grazing ewes along side his tack sheep, he'd struggle to lose money in my opinion, and if he had a fair do it would make that lambing money look pretty sick.

I've got 3 weeks lambing in Dundee from mid April. I've negotiated food and accommodation plus £1000 (+VAT) per week for me the dogs and the quad.

It's a good rate, but that's all I can do during that time. And I'll be away from my family. If I was running my own stock I'd be at home and have the opportunity to do other paid work if required.

 

[unlacedgecko]

How's the man going to go out and buy 1000 killers and then run them round for a few months, will you loan him 40k plus? I only suggested lambing for someone else to gain experience but perhaps he's already got that.

I'll have the cash in place when I'm due to buy next autumn

 

[Ysgythan]

It's something I know nothing about. Is there much trade for mule ewe lambs come spring?

Not so much barren unless you had them MV and could sell them as ET recipients to pedigree breeders. In lamb would be OK, with lambs at foot they would be a flier, but can you be bothered with that extra work? If so it's an option.

As to the tup a fresh young lamb full of its coat on a hog is always going to look good so you could just about put anything on them.

As with any trading stock the skill is in the buying and having a plan.

 

[gatepost]

If your going to trade, you have to put the time in, in market and fight for your place, I doubt you'll find enough private. Don't want to sound negative, as I started with a grand saved from driving someone else's tractor, I would think long and hard before employing another you, build slowly but soundly, try some ewes next year, see how it goes, but your Achilles heal will always be the end date, when you have to sell.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Not so much barren unless you had them MV and could sell them as ET recipients to pedigree breeders. In lamb would be OK, with lambs at foot they would be a flier, but can you be bothered with that extra work? If so it's an option.

As to the tup a fresh young lamb full of its coat on a hog is always going to look good so you could just about put anything on them.

As with any trading stock the skill is in the buying and having a plan.

Extra work is not a problem. Finding land to lamb and keep them on till end of April is.

"You make your money when you buy" is often repeated but there is much truth in it.

 

[Ysgythan]

Extra work is not a problem. Finding land to lamb and keep them on till end of April is.

"You make your money when you buy" is often repeated but there is much truth in it.

In which case get West or North in Autumn and buy pens of brokers in the draft sales as feeding ewes. Rougher the better. You may have to go to a few sales and some ewes will die when offered any sort of kindness, but there could be £20 a head in them. If your fences are very good and you have decent ground then little hard store lambs can also pay quite well.

 

[TL100]

I'll have the cash in place when I'm due to buy next autumn

So when do you want me to start this new job? And any chance of some advance wages

 

[unlacedgecko]

So when do you want me to start this new job? And any chance of some advance wages

The position will start end of September this year. I'll be inviting applications from end of July.

If you want to get in early email a CV to [email protected]

I don't do credit I'm afraid.

 

[unlacedgecko]

In which case get West or North in Autumn and buy pens of brokers in the draft sales as feeding ewes. Rougher the better. You may have to go to a few sales and some ewes will die when offered any sort of kindness, but there could be £20 a head in them. If your fences are very good and you have decent ground then little hard store lambs can also pay quite well.

That's sounding like a plan.

I'll be looking to use agents and buyers rather than go myself though. If anyone knows any good/honest ones please let me know! I've a couple in the home already but always looking for more.

 

[GTB]

That's sounding like a plan.

I'll be looking to use agents and buyers rather than go myself though. If anyone knows any good/honest ones please let me know! I've a couple in the home already but always looking for more.

How many are you looking to buy? You'd be better off going yourself unless you're buying thousands.

 

[unlacedgecko]

How many are you looking to buy? You'd be better off going yourself unless you're buying thousands.

Not sure yet. At least 1000 to start with.

I quite like the idea of Swaledale store lambs, bought in Nov and Dec to go straight on to turnips and kill directly from there.

 

[GTB]

Not sure yet. At least 1000 to start with.

I quite like the idea of Swaledale store lambs, bought in Nov and Dec to go straight on to turnips and kill directly from there.

Good luck, remember never to gamble more than you can afford to lose.

 

[BELOWAVERAGE]

That's sounding like a plan.

I'll be looking to use agents and buyers rather than go myself though. If anyone knows any good/honest ones please let me know! I've a couple in the home already but always looking for more.

I know a bad/dishonest one you'll need to avoid, I'll let you know the name.

 

[MJT]

Bunches of hill wether lambs would be what I'd do if I was to choose. Probably go with cheviots from Lairg or Dingwall , there's a plentiful supply up there and they should fly when brought down onto turnips and should grow and finish and end up with a lamb worth more when fat compared to a Swale or blackie lamb.

 

[S J H]

I'll have the cash in place when I'm due to buy next autumn

Instead of buying the trailer @unlacedgecko, why don't you buy a Lorry and contract with it? Then you could use it for dealing sheep, and I expect you'd pick up some deals from the haulage work.

Would the 1000 your wanting to buy take away the availability of tack, or have you got more ground?