Suckler cows.. is it worth it?

[digger64]

I've probably done the complete opposite to most today, and put the creep feeder out! Wouldn't normally start feeding until September.
My justification is that the younger the calf, the better their feed conversion efficiency. So hopefully I'll get bigger calves at weaning that will require less concentrate over winter.
This coupled with rotational grazing to hopefully keep the cows milking better, and cutting haylage earlier so hopefully better quality for feeding to weaned calves, will hopefully mean a reduced feed bill this coming winter!

I was rotational grazing and TBH I think that caused the bloat issue as they would hit the feeder on the last day in the 3 day move , I was feeding whole oats mixed with a few 18 % dairycalf starter pellets . Moving/filling the feeder at least doubled the work/ time required .

 

[Treecreeper]

I've probably done the complete opposite to most today, and put the creep feeder out! Wouldn't normally start feeding until September.
My justification is that the younger the calf, the better their feed conversion efficiency. So hopefully I'll get bigger calves at weaning that will require less concentrate over winter.
This coupled with rotational grazing to hopefully keep the cows milking better, and cutting haylage earlier so hopefully better quality for feeding to weaned calves, will hopefully mean a reduced feed bill this coming winter!

The cheapest kilos to produce are those that go on in the first six months.

 

[M-J-G]

The cheapest kilos to produce are those that go on in the first six months.

To a point yes, but even gold can be too dear.
If you spend a pound a day to get a pound back you're just working for nothing

 

[Jonp]

Thought the idea of a good suckler cow was that she could rear a good calf off her own milk. I have a very low input system and not the best of grass but my cows rear cracking calves. I actually have to watch that the cows don't put on too much weight. Herefords.

 

[choochter]

I believe that the money is made at calving and the 8 weeks afterwards.

That is, it is crucial that the cow/heifer calves easily and safely and that she gets back in calf readily, and is healthy.
Losses, and gaps in production are what reduce income from coos.

 

[Hilly]

I look at feeding suckled calves as another way to make a few quid , ie , you can not feed them say sell for 800 or you could say give each calf £200 pounds worth and sell for £1050 thus turning 200 pound into 250 over 6 months say , thats the way in look at it and a nice fed well grown beast is nicer to look at easier sold etc .

 

[Northeastfarmer]

I look at feeding suckled calves as another way to make a few quid , ie , you can not feed them say sell for 800 or you could say give each calf £200 pounds worth and sell for £1050 thus turning 200 pound into 250 over 6 months say , thats the way in look at it and a nice fed well grown beast is nicer to look at easier sold etc .

The cheapest time to make a beast grow is when it’s young

 

[livestock 1]

I look at feeding suckled calves as another way to make a few quid , ie , you can not feed them say sell for 800 or you could say give each calf £200 pounds worth and sell for £1050 thus turning 200 pound into 250 over 6 months say , thats the way in look at it and a nice fed well grown beast is nicer to look at easier sold etc .

Yes this is exactly right. With the cattle job having the continuous ups and downs turning up at the mart with some lean weathered badly grown or all three calves you will be the first one to cop the lot of it in a bad trade. If you appear with what the buyers want you can usually come out unscathed

 

[livestock 1]

The cheapest time to make a beast grow is when it’s young

Not very successful at it here the sheep get the better of the cattle

 

[Rossymons]

What's the view on Stabilizers?

 

[Jonp]

No fighting here over who gets the grass

 

[livestock 1]

No fighting here over who gets the grassView attachment 1041474

I meant the creep

 

[Jonp]

I meant the creep

Yeah my sheep would win hands down....nothing more greedy than a sheep!

 

[livestock 1]

Yeah my sheep would win hands down....nothing more greedy than a sheep!

Haha we have a lot of rough grazing so the cattle make good for the sheep but it doesn’t benefit in every way

 

[Jonp]

tried feeding overwintered calves a few years ago....bloody sheep ate more than the calves.

 

[Woolless]

Well, I thought things were going too well. 13/14 calved no bother in the first three weeks. Been waiting on last cow for nearly three weeks. She calved teatime last night, calf apparently ok but dead at 0400 this morning . Bit tougher to shrug off than a dead lamb!

Not sure whether to get a calf and persevere with her or cut my losses? How long would she need to be on short rations to dry her up? A week before she could go back in with the rest to put some flesh on?

 

[hendrebc]

Well, I thought things were going too well. 13/14 calved no bother in the first three weeks. Been waiting on last cow for nearly three weeks. She calved teatime last night, calf apparently ok but dead at 0400 this morning . Bit tougher to shrug off than a dead lamb!

Not sure whether to get a calf and persevere with her or cut my losses? How long would she need to be on short rations to dry her up? A week before she could go back in with the rest to put some flesh on?

Just get rid of her is what I'd do keep a heifer instead. Shouldn't take long for her to dry up especially if nothing has suckled her properly.

 

[Jonp]

Had a first calf heifer with a stillborn this year. Left her with the other cows in field and she dried off fine. Older cows with more udder maybe would get a calf...depends on how good a cow she is.

 

[livestock 1]

Well, I thought things were going too well. 13/14 calved no bother in the first three weeks. Been waiting on last cow for nearly three weeks. She calved teatime last night, calf apparently ok but dead at 0400 this morning . Bit tougher to shrug off than a dead lamb!

Not sure whether to get a calf and persevere with her or cut my losses? How long would she need to be on short rations to dry her up? A week before she could go back in with the rest to put some flesh on?

Depends if you want the faff on of setting a one on and what else you have to do that’s kind of how it is here. You will need to milk her out a couple of times a day really until you get a calf on the job if you go that way.

 

[livestock 1]

Had a first calf heifer with a stillborn this year. Left her with the other cows in field and she dried off fine. Older cows with more udder maybe would get a calf...depends on how good a cow she is.

They often get mastitis here if they are turned out without some sort of drying off procedure. That’s usually why we set a calf onto them if possible