Starting a beef enterprise?

Stevt

Member
I'm 21 and been farming since a young age but would like to continue building up something for myself. I was thinking a good framed animal that will give a quick growing calf. E.g. Angus X put to limy or simm X put to a blonde. Cash flow the hardest if taken to finish. Any suggestions on system must be simple to allow other income. Any sensible costings out there?
 

Stevt

Member
What margin is there in what time scale? I fear a lack of marketplace presence could be an issue or is this me fretting?
 
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Mate, Multi power, I 'm only a dairy farmer:rolleyes:, Hereford/Fresian cross is another option too(y) Like this PITA!
 
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neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
try a suckler herd

Or try doing the sums on establishing any kind of beef enterprise. I can't make it stack up on paper at all.(n)

Lots of local farmers look at me as though I'm odd, when I say that I don't have/can't afford to get into beef cattle. Those that have actually packed them in, realise how much they had been losing though.;)

I'd be very interested to see some meaningful figures on setting up a beef system that competes with sheep or arable enterprises.:)
 

Samcowman

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Cornwall
What have you got to work with for a start? Are you trying to build up something of your own within an existing family farm? or looking at renting land or buildings? The questions could be endless
 

roscoe erf

Member
Livestock Farmer
Or try doing the sums on establishing any kind of beef enterprise. I can't make it stack up on paper at all.(n)

Lots of local farmers look at me as though I'm odd, when I say that I don't have/can't afford to get into beef cattle. Those that have actually packed them in, realise how much they had been losing though.;)

I'd be very interested to see some meaningful figures on setting up a beef system that competes with sheep or arable enterprises.:)
yes but there is setting up and there is setting up when i first went into beef i was quoted some real scary figures but if you look around and buy at the right times it is do able but having said that on the numbers i do i need a second income so if its a sideline or a way of getting your foot in the door it can be done as in the op just building up dont think its a main income stream well thats how i read it
 

neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
yes but there is setting up and there is setting up when i first went into beef i was quoted some real scary figures but if you look around and buy at the right times it is do able but having said that on the numbers i do i need a second income so if its a sideline or a way of getting your foot in the door it can be done as in the op just building up dont think its a main income stream well thats how i read it

A 'foot in the door' to what? A bigger beef enterprise? It's still got to add up, or a big enterprise just loses more money, as many probably do.
 

JD-Kid

Member
ummm been out of it for a while sold last of the cows a few years ago mainly due to feed ,water supply and yards
know a few that are bucket feeding bobby calfs bull beef types then selling on as weaned calfs or 18 month old to finshers or take them out to killing weights

guy next door is grazeing them on a per Kg gain system the out fit has 3 levels in the system bobby calfs to weaning ,weaned to 18 months , 18months to finshed outfit supplys the stock and grazer has to meet targets etc good system if you don't have the cash to buy the stock

myself if i was going back in to cattle i'd be buying 6 month old stock and getting rid by 18 months eather on the hook or stores the 2nd winter has a hell of a high price for feeds

do the numbers stack up some years yes other years no i would keep an open mind on best return for feeds used and work on tradeing stock breeding stock a bit harder and not the same outlets
 

alan6430

Member
Location
cornwall
Could you not buy some friesian heifer calves from dispersal sales and keep saving to put in a parlour for when theycalve? Then yyou'd have milk and a beef calf to sell? Just a thought
 

JD-Kid

Member
Could you not buy some friesian heifer calves from dispersal sales and keep saving to put in a parlour for when theycalve? Then yyou'd have milk and a beef calf to sell? Just a thought
thats another idea worth looking at need to be good heifers tho with good recoards and also have some kinda lease agrement with the dairy guy
 

Tim W

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Wiltshire
I'm 21 and been farming since a young age but would like to continue building up something for myself. I was thinking a good framed animal that will give a quick growing calf. E.g. Angus X put to limy or simm X put to a blonde. Cash flow the hardest if taken to finish. Any suggestions on system must be simple to allow other income. Any sensible costings out there?

You want to go out to work somewhere else to subsidise your beef hobby? Do the sums and if you can make money on a beef enterprise then stick to it---I will be very surprised if you can
 

Samcowman

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Cornwall
guy next door is grazeing them on a per Kg gain system the out fit has 3 levels in the system bobby calfs to weaning ,weaned to 18 months , 18months to finshed outfit supplys the stock and grazer has to meet targets etc good system if you don't have the cash to buy the stock
Blade do a similar thing over here with contract finishing, its a good thing as you don't have to buy the cattle up front which would be one of the biggest up front costs.
An option for a better margin is guying in 15 month heifers in a the spring and putting them to the bull then sell them in calf in the autumn. One advantage is there is no housing costs but you would need to buy at the right price nd make sure you had a home for them if not you would need to be prepared to potentially have to calve them yourself.
 

Hilly

Member
Blade do a similar thing over here with contract finishing, its a good thing as you don't have to buy the cattle up front which would be one of the biggest up front costs.
An option for a better margin is guying in 15 month heifers in a the spring and putting them to the bull then sell them in calf in the autumn. One advantage is there is no housing costs but you would need to buy at the right price nd make sure you had a home for them if not you would need to be prepared to potentially have to calve them yourself.
One problem with that is incalf heifers quite often don't make anymore than bulling heifers, sometimes less !
 

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