Yes agree with that,we have a couple of proper good places & always get asked backOnce you’ve found it FGS don’t let it go!!!nearly all my wintering places get a 1/2 lamb Christmas present!
But as for getting anymore
Store lamb calculation help
- Thread starter JoeHodgey
- Start date
But as for getting anymorelivestock 1
Member
It’s a right learning curve. Fresh air and a good view, wanting too many on per acre, fencing! Dogs! Neighbours!
We will get there in the end!!
We will get there in the end!!
Usually sell all my own bred lambs as stores so long as north of £65 a head then buy long keep lambs in but set a limit at £45 a head. Worm / mineral drench and leave them to it. They’ve always done well and generally go away as a lump at around now, back through the store ring so not paying for all the off takes, in the past they’ve always doubled in money and ticked over, so pretty hassle free. Just make sure there isn’t a rogue tup lamb running amongst them when you buy them out the ring...!
Woolless
Member
- Location
- Berwickshire, Scottish Borders
You make a decent point about offtakes. Commission and deductions are horrendous selling fat, whatever route you take.
livestock 1
Member
On the same subject it has been said it’s easier to sell something to another farmer than it is to sell elsewhere
- Location
- Hertfordshire
Did you ever go ahead with this @JoeHodgey ?
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Hi Peter, I’ve Dwelled on the topic for a while. Im planning to do a similar thing but with weaned dairy X calves. Buy 4 month old calves in March, grow up to 12 month stores in October, at which point sell.
With buying in lambs you’ve got a problem of pasture starts growing in March but you probably can’t get hold of any store lambs until august at the earliest. Calves can be available all year round, so you can match up stocking with forage growth much better.
I’ll be moving them every day leaving long rest periods (40-60 days) between re graze. Hardly any infastruce cost, just some electric fencing and water pipe. So if I decide after 1 year I hate it, I can just sell the cattle and that’s that.
From my working out though, it could be more profitable than W. Wheat, on acerage basis. Proof will be in the pudding but that’s the plan.
With buying in lambs you’ve got a problem of pasture starts growing in March but you probably can’t get hold of any store lambs until august at the earliest. Calves can be available all year round, so you can match up stocking with forage growth much better.
I’ll be moving them every day leaving long rest periods (40-60 days) between re graze. Hardly any infastruce cost, just some electric fencing and water pipe. So if I decide after 1 year I hate it, I can just sell the cattle and that’s that
.From my working out though, it could be more profitable than W. Wheat, on acerage basis. Proof will be in the pudding but that’s the plan.
- Location
- Essex
How's the herbal ley looking @JoeHodgey, any pics, have you got your calves in ready for turnout?
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Looking like this a month ago, frost has since killed bolting chicory but I suspect it will regrow from the crown in spring. Clovers have gone very dormant over winter, even died back a little.
No I haven’t, it’s next spring I’m planning on as you are actually looking at an AB15 with 1 more year to run. Then I’ve got a pre- established ley. Just how it is going to work out best I think.
My main problem now if where do I get a supply of good healthy calves in Lincolnshire. I don’t know.
No I haven’t, it’s next spring I’m planning on as you are actually looking at an AB15 with 1 more year to run. Then I’ve got a pre- established ley. Just how it is going to work out best I think.
My main problem now if where do I get a supply of good healthy calves in Lincolnshire. I don’t know.
Attachments
- Location
- Essex
Looks really good. What are the plans for this year? Assume those aren't your cattle in the background?
You could try sell my livestock or look in the farmers guardian.
- Location
- West Wales
Plenty of marts in the country or find a dealer that will know of some. How many are you thinking of buying?
Woolless
Member
- Location
- Berwickshire, Scottish Borders
@unlacedgecko might know of a decent source of calves in Lincolnshire.
- Location
- Fife
I can think of a few dairy farms, but they'd be baby calves not reared.
@JoeHodgey your best bet would be to speak to some independent calf rearers.
- Location
- Lincolnshire
This year it’s just AB15 until august so might leave it to run to seed so I’ve got a self regenerating seedbank. Yeah that’s it, it’s just finding someone you trust.
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Yeah just don’t know what your getting trough market, id like to get a private deal with a local ish rearer really, looking for about 35 in March 2023