July Calving

REBEL COUNTY1

What are people's thoughts on calving PB Aberdeen Angus in July? Advantage would be good grazing before and after with little extra ration needed. Disadvantage of big calves/difficult calving (even with easy calving of AA)??? And too much milk after perhaps? Out wintering cattle so calves would be that bit hardier to deal with weather, could wean onto grass in march and could sell bull weanlings in June (would have 2/3 months good grazing prior to selling). It seems to me to be economical for a small set up without the need for too much additional feed,

Anyone experienced could perhaps shed some light. Am starting out and would appreciate advice!

whelan1

we have pb aa, calve the most of them in ferbruary / march and sell the bulls in may/june the following year, if you are calving them in july its really the winter milk market you would be selling them for so being sold in november /december..imo under 14 months is too young to sell a bull at. The winter milk job is getting smaller, so the real market for the bulls is may june... we still have 2 july bulls from last year , we didnt really push selling them yet, they are being outwintered

Richk2012

Pros and cons with everything really.
Id be a bit weary of cows springing and having such excess milk right in the middle of fly season .
Pour ons , fly tags or teat-seals/tubes could be needed id imagine .

just do it

REBEL COUNTY1 wrote: »

What are people's thoughts on calving PB Aberdeen Angus in July? Advantage would be good grazing before and after with little extra ration needed. Disadvantage of big calves/difficult calving (even with easy calving of AA)??? And too much milk after perhaps? Out wintering cattle so calves would be that bit hardier to deal with weather, could wean onto grass in march and could sell bull weanlings in June (would have 2/3 months good grazing prior to selling). It seems to me to be economical for a small set up without the need for too much additional feed,

Anyone experienced could perhaps shed some light. Am starting out and would appreciate advice!

Grass quality starts to deteriorate from July onwards just when you need it. When your cows are dry they'll be getting the best grass which is wasteful really. When they need it most for milk and going back in calf the quality will be deteriorating. If you plan to sell bulls you want to keep them thriving. So I think calving in July will mean more feed rather than less. There is a reason most farmers in the country calve down in early Spring. It's the most economical farming model for taking advantage of our one competitive advantage - grass.

Whelan1 seems to be on the ball for selling AA bulls so worth listening to.

REBEL COUNTY1

whelan1 wrote: »

we have pb aa, calve the most of them in ferbruary / march and sell the bulls in may/june the following year, if you are calving them in july its really the winter milk market you would be selling them for so being sold in november /december..imo under 14 months is too young to sell a bull at. The winter milk job is getting smaller, so the real market for the bulls is may june... we still have 2 july bulls from last year , we didnt really push selling them yet, they are being outwintered

Thanks whelan, appreciate the advice. Will have small herd so was thinking would sell the bull calves before 12 months so woulnt need to separate herd to avoid inbreeding. What range of money would PB AA bull be making as weanling compared to yearling of 14/15 month old in June? (I know it'll vary but just a guide)

You might be able to help me in terms of what kind of money in should be paying in April for good registered cow with calf at foot (early march born)?

REBEL COUNTY1

just do it wrote: »

Grass quality starts to deteriorate from July onwards just when you need it. When your cows are dry they'll be getting the best grass which is wasteful really. When they need it most for milk and going back in calf the quality will be deteriorating. If you plan to sell bulls you want to keep them thriving. So I think calving in July will mean more feed rather than less. There is a reason most farmers in the country calve down in early Spring. It's the most economical farming model for taking advantage of our one competitive advantage - grass.

Whelan1 seems to be on the ball for selling AA bulls so worth listening to.

On the ball just do it! Makes sense alright.

whelan1

REBEL COUNTY1 wrote: »

Thanks whelan, appreciate the advice. Will have small herd so was thinking would sell the bull calves before 12 months so woulnt need to separate herd to avoid inbreeding. What range of money would PB AA bull be making as weanling compared to yearling of 14/15 month old in June? (I know it'll vary but just a guide)

You might be able to help me in terms of what kind of money in should be paying in April for good registered cow with calf at foot (early march born)?

would there be a market for them at 10mths? surely you would have a shed / field to put them in for a few months... you would surely have them weaned before 10 months?

REBEL COUNTY1

whelan1 wrote: »

would there be a market for them at 10mths? surely you would have a shed / field to put them in for a few months... you would surely have them weaned before 10 months?

Ya I'd have them weaned at 8 months but would have thought it would be just as handy to sell at 10/11months if the market should be there for them!? Was told weanlings made good money last june/july but dont know first hand myself!

Ya I definitely could keep them for few months longer if the margin was that much greater! I'm just wondering what kind of difference I'd be looking at if you'd know?