Sucklers to milkers

[aled1590]

Hi all, probably this topic has been covered before but hey ho! Currently toying on the idea of establishing a dairy herd on the farm. Getting rid of our 70 sucklers and offspring because they are making zero pennies and cutting sheep down from 850 to around 400. I’ve had a consultant on farm to go through figures and they look more appealing than current system. Have 200ac in one block and another 300 spread around (mix of grazing, cropping and sheep only) thinking of either 150 cows autumn block plus followers-use bb or limo semen as another income stream if milk price takes a dip or second option- 200 cows autumn block and keep only rep heifers
Has anyone on here taken the risk and entered the dairy world? Happy or wish you could go back?
And how do you feel your work life balance has changed? If at all?
Sorry for all the simple questions, I’m just trying to gather as much info as possible! Currently can’t see much of a future with sucklers here, either spend to modernise system or spend more and change system. TIA!!

 

[Scholsey]

Hi all, probably this topic has been covered before but hey ho! Currently toying on the idea of establishing a dairy herd on the farm. Getting rid of our 70 sucklers and offspring because they are making zero pennies and cutting sheep down from 850 to around 400. I’ve had a consultant on farm to go through figures and they look more appealing than current system. Have 200ac in one block and another 300 spread around (mix of grazing, cropping and sheep only) thinking of either 150 cows autumn block plus followers-use bb or limo semen as another income stream if milk price takes a dip or second option- 200 cows autumn block and keep only rep heifers
Has anyone on here taken the risk and entered the dairy world? Happy or wish you could go back?
And how do you feel your work life balance has changed? If at all?
Sorry for all the simple questions, I’m just trying to gather as much info as possible! Currently can’t see much of a future with sucklers here, either spend to modernise system or spend more and change system. TIA!!

2 people you need to speak to, Bank manager and a milk buyer, you will need to be friendly with both!

 

[Beef farmer]

Hi all, probably this topic has been covered before but hey ho! Currently toying on the idea of establishing a dairy herd on the farm. Getting rid of our 70 sucklers and offspring because they are making zero pennies and cutting sheep down from 850 to around 400. I’ve had a consultant on farm to go through figures and they look more appealing than current system. Have 200ac in one block and another 300 spread around (mix of grazing, cropping and sheep only) thinking of either 150 cows autumn block plus followers-use bb or limo semen as another income stream if milk price takes a dip or second option- 200 cows autumn block and keep only rep heifers
Has anyone on here taken the risk and entered the dairy world? Happy or wish you could go back?
And how do you feel your work life balance has changed? If at all?
Sorry for all the simple questions, I’m just trying to gather as much info as possible! Currently can’t see much of a future with sucklers here, either spend to modernise system or spend more and change system. TIA!!

You can modernise your suckler system all you want, its still no good.

As above...milk buyer

 

[coomoo]

Batter in everyone else is all I’d say is make sure you want to milk cows, don’t let the reason be sucklers aren’t working.

 

[kill]

Hi all, probably this topic has been covered before but hey ho! Currently toying on the idea of establishing a dairy herd on the farm. Getting rid of our 70 sucklers and offspring because they are making zero pennies and cutting sheep down from 850 to around 400. I’ve had a consultant on farm to go through figures and they look more appealing than current system. Have 200ac in one block and another 300 spread around (mix of grazing, cropping and sheep only) thinking of either 150 cows autumn block plus followers-use bb or limo semen as another income stream if milk price takes a dip or second option- 200 cows autumn block and keep only rep heifers
Has anyone on here taken the risk and entered the dairy world? Happy or wish you could go back?
And how do you feel your work life balance has changed? If at all?
Sorry for all the simple questions, I’m just trying to gather as much info as possible! Currently can’t see much of a future with sucklers here, either spend to modernise system or spend more and change system. TIA!!

I made the transition from sucklers and dairy heifer rearing late last year after a massively busy year on building work.
It's been bleady hard work getting everything in place but with both my kids very keen (16&13) on the farm and my wife coming home after 30 years working in the banking industry I can honestly say we are all enjoying it but the days are long and the cost are massive to change the farm around here as put 2x new robots, a new shed, slurry pit, new drive, a mile of cow tracks etc .

Don't believe any figures you get as everything will be overspent greatly!!!!

I also had 40% of my new herd of cows taken with a TB out break within a few months of starting which at that point I'd have loved a time machine to go back a year!!!! But we managed to get a movement licence and replaced those but it's been hard going training heifers all summer and rearing a massive heap of calves for us (kids are brilliant tho).

Would we be stupid enough to do it again if I could turn the clock back? Probably yes but my wife has been 100% with me and we have done this together and she's brilliant

If you want a natter pm with your phone number and I will give you a call

 

[aled1590]

Thanks all reply’s are very welcome! Yes have spoken to 2 milk buyers and are looking for autumn herds. My OH is a vet and she’s had enough of and ready to move on. She’s done plenty of dairy fertility work and she’s onboard with the idea but obviously we understand it’s bloody tough! I’m going tomorrow to a highly regarded autumn block herd to do some milking and have a chat with him

 

[buffalo_soldier]

I know of one convert who are getting fed up with the work load.
Particularly around weekends.

Don't know your layout obviously, but on first glance I would suggest don't hem yourself into 150ish cows building and infrastructure wise.
Sheep reduction is only 53% correct.

 

[Blue.]

Hi all, probably this topic has been covered before but hey ho! Currently toying on the idea of establishing a dairy herd on the farm. Getting rid of our 70 sucklers and offspring because they are making zero pennies and cutting sheep down from 850 to around 400. I’ve had a consultant on farm to go through figures and they look more appealing than current system. Have 200ac in one block and another 300 spread around (mix of grazing, cropping and sheep only) thinking of either 150 cows autumn block plus followers-use bb or limo semen as another income stream if milk price takes a dip or second option- 200 cows autumn block and keep only rep heifers
Has anyone on here taken the risk and entered the dairy world? Happy or wish you could go back?
And how do you feel your work life balance has changed? If at all?
Sorry for all the simple questions, I’m just trying to gather as much info as possible! Currently can’t see much of a future with sucklers here, either spend to modernise system or spend more and change system. TIA!!

If your making nothing out of 70 sucklers,is swapping them straight off for 70 milkers an option?

Setting up milking needn’t cost the earth,lots of bargains to be had if you look about,mainly from people giving up/in.

 

[aled1590]

Yes better have a good chat with the bank before anything! Few people in this area has gone or going into milk. Yes could always start off with 70ish and see how it goes! The kite consultant has done a few converts and said none of them has no regrets and quite enjoying their new ventures

 

[Cows 'n grass]

Yes better have a good chat with the bank before anything! Few people in this area has gone or going into milk. Yes could always start off with 70ish and see how it goes! The kite consultant has done a few converts and said none of them has no regrets and quite enjoying their new ventures

I think my sole bit of advice would be to stay well clear of Kite consultants unless you want to make no money out of dairying either.

 

[pappuller]

Yes better have a good chat with the bank before anything! Few people in this area has gone or going into milk. Yes could always start off with 70ish and see how it goes! The kite consultant has done a few converts and said none of them has no regrets and quite enjoying their new ventures

Talk to other dairy farmers and most importantly get out on farms milking morning and night before you make any decisions.

 

[Zero Homes]

Where abouts are you? And firstly get a milk buyer lined up..before approaching bank would be my advise.

 

[early riser]

The kite consultant has done a few converts and said none of them has no regrets and quite enjoying their new ventures

It was all going so well until you mentioned the K word......

 

[Bossfarmer]

what sort of profit per cow is your consultant forecasting with the dairy?

 

[Beef farmer]

what sort of profit per cow is your consultant forecasting with the dairy?

Whats yours forecasting?

 

[Cows 'n grass]

what sort of profit per cow is your consultant forecasting with the dairy?

10000 litres @ 30ppl = £3000
COP. 15ppl

Profit £1500/cow

Easy money, can't believe you haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet.

 

[buffalo_soldier]

10000 litres @ 30ppl = £3000
COP. 15ppl

Profit £1500/cow

Easy money, can't believe you haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet.

You have missed adding on £350 for the calf and £1000 for the cull as well.

 

[Beef farmer]

You have missed adding on £350 for the calf and £1000 for the cull as well.

And 10k is your 205 day not 305..

 

[Cows 'n grass]

We actually visited a 9000 litre herd last week in Ireland who claimed his total COP were €13c . It was a cracking little 65 cow herd that employed no labour and had no borrowings. It's not completely impossible that he was right but we were all a little dubious.

 

[dinderleat]

what sort of profit per cow is your consultant forecasting with the dairy?

Thought you would be milking 1000 cows by now. 1k per cow or 1k per ha more than doable with the right system