Silage and sheds

[Rdmorris1998]

As of this year will have cattle sheds and silage (can probably make around 400 bales) available. Room for 100 head
Want to use both without forking out capital for cattle. Thinking of wintering dairy heifers.
Any other ideas?
Cheers

 

[HarryB97]

I no you don't want to purchase stock but I would buy weaned calves. You will get a lot more for your money, you can have more stock but they'll eat less feed, the feed conversion rate is higher so the margin will be better if you do them well and you will get more in your shed. The problem with wintering and B&B is the potential of a TB breakdown and apart from the muck there isn't much in it for you. You would be better off renting it to a local farmer than looking after someone elses stock yourself.

 

[Rdmorris1998]

Yeah I know what your saying, just took it back in hand off neighbour that was renting it, so kind of set on doing something with it myself. If it’s a dry summer silage will probs be better off sold off the yard anyway.

 

[HarryB97]

It depends on your area, in lots of areas it's normally cheaper to buy silage than make your own. If you cant afford to fully stock it in one go buy a few at a time like 10 every 3 months then it'll spread the amount of capital and the cashflow when you sell them which will make it much easier. It's all about numbers and throughput with cattle.

 

[Rdmorris1998]

Would you finish them, or buy in weanlings sell as strong stores?

 

[HarryB97]

Would you finish them, or buy in weanlings sell as strong stores?

If I was starting out I would sell them as stores as cash flow is key to a new business. If you can have them on farm till 450-500kg rather than 600 that's money in your bank 3-4 months sooner without the cost of a finishing ration, transport, levys and getting docked by the abattoirs grid for poor grades etc.

 

[Agrivator]

Owning your own cattle provides an appreciating capital asset which can be cashed sometime in the future - a few years' or a lifetime hence. That, and buying a house, is of particular value to a tenant farmer.