To put in calf or sell fat?

[Farmersdaughter]

Wondering if to put some of our bluex and simx heifers in calf to calf at 24 months, or sell them fat at similar age, they are currently out at grass. We have a dairy herd and normally take all calves through to fat ( unless dairy heifers as replacements). Have an Angus bull about to come out of dairy cows who could run with them. We have plenty of grass ( at the moment) and would out winter on stubble turnips. Would sell next year either with calf at foot, or if shut with tb ( currently not) would wean calf and try and get heifer way before 30 months fat. Is this a workable plan?

 

[pine_guy]

Did the same couple of years ago, cow and calf trade not high enough last year, so as a result, just finishing calving them down for the second year now. Anything I didn't like as a cow, fattened and away under 36month. I think cows will be in demand next year.

 

[Henarar]

Wondering if to put some of our bluex and simx heifers in calf to calf at 24 months, or sell them fat at similar age, they are currently out at grass. We have a dairy herd and normally take all calves through to fat ( unless dairy heifers as replacements). Have an Angus bull about to come out of dairy cows who could run with them. We have plenty of grass ( at the moment) and would out winter on stubble turnips. Would sell next year either with calf at foot, or if shut with tb ( currently not) would wean calf and try and get heifer way before 30 months fat. Is this a workable plan?

What diary breed are they out of?

 

[Lazy Eric]

Cows and calves are in very good demand if you check out the sales reports at a few auctions! Have a look a Ccm auctions skipton 21st June.

 

[liammogs]

Or sell them as bullers and let somone else calf them down! They be worth the best part of 1000 as trade is now

 

[multi power]

If you bull them just be sure they are all good enough and pay attention to Johnes etc etc

 

[Farmersdaughter]

What diary breed are they out of?

Mostly brown swiss and Monty cross Holstein Frisian.

 

[pine_guy]

I would fatten anything with brown Swiss in it based on any I've seen.

 

[farmer JD]

Why what's wrong with brownswiss , are herd is brownswiss

 

[farmer JD]

Mostly brown swiss and Monty cross Holstein Frisian.

How do you rate the brownswiss compared to monty crosses and Holstein ?

 

[Lovegoodstock]

Fine in the dairy world but takes generations of breeding away from them for improving quality and profitability in the beef world. Progeny will be much harder doers, the more time on farm and the more they eat is profit margin being reduced. On the whole it costs the same to keep a good suckler cow as a poor one, so need to maximise net income and in my view that is not possible producing cattle that are lesser shape or harder feeders

 

[M-J-G]

How do you rate the brownswiss compared to monty crosses and Holstein ?

The Brown Swiss, although not much more beefy than a Holstein, but they are a hardy bugger, feet and udder health are very good, and they last well.

 

[pine_guy]

Why what's wrong with brownswiss , are herd is brownswiss

Nothing as a dairy animal, but noted as being incredibly difficult to flesh as a beef animal, even harder than a Holstein.

Fine in the dairy world but takes generations of breeding away from them for improving quality and profitability in the beef world. Progeny will be much harder doers, the more time on farm and the more they eat is profit margin being reduced. On the whole it costs the same to keep a good suckler cow as a poor one, so need to maximise net income and in my view that is not possible producing cattle that are lesser shape or harder feeders

Basically what I was thinking.

The Brown Swiss, although not much more beefy than a Holstein, but they are a hardy bugger, feet and udder health are very good, and they last well.

Have heard the reputation for hardy/good feet/good grazers. But all that is of no use if you can't get the beef calf fat.

I saw some sold at Carlisle on Wednesday from the kedar heard. It may be their breeding, but very extreme, looked like they would blow over in a light wind and the pin bones were so close together, the thought of trying to get any calf out scared me. But at the same time, an old neighbour used the bull to produce some crosses and they turned into nice thick cattle.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

I've got a Swiss brown x blue...fantastic cow and has cracking calves


It's about to calve any day

 

[farmer JD]

Nothing as a dairy animal, but noted as being incredibly difficult to flesh as a beef animal, even harder than a Holstein.



Basically what I was thinking.



Have heard the reputation for hardy/good feet/good grazers. But all that is of no use if you can't get the beef calf fat.

I saw some sold at Carlisle on Wednesday from the kedar heard. It may be their breeding, but very extreme, looked like they would blow over in a light wind and the pin bones were so close together, the thought of trying to get any calf out scared me. But at the same time, an old neighbour used the bull to produce some crosses and they turned into nice thick cattle.

I know the kedar herd top quality dairy brownswiss depends what you want milk or beef !

 

[farmer JD]

The brownswiss do weigh out better

 

[pine_guy]

I know the kedar herd top quality dairy brownswiss depends what you want milk or beef !

Well the general consensus about the youngstock amongst the guys I was stood with round the ring on Wednesday, was we didn't want them at any price. But I think they were clearing out the bottom end. There is another sale later in the year for the fancy pedigree stuff.

 

[pine_guy]

The brownswiss do weigh out better

Better than what? Holstein?

 

[farmer JD]

Yes, what were they heifers? What did they make ? Why he selling them

 

[pine_guy]

Yes, what were they heifers? What did they make ? Why he selling them

http://harrisonandhetherington.co.uk/sale-reports/youngstock-sale-from-the-kedar-brown-swiss-herd/