Friesan bulls

john p mc g

Hi I've four Friesan bull weanlings march born. Could anyone advise the best road to go with finish them at 16 months or keep longer. Just starting out. got them handy thought they might gather a few euro to buy better stock I know I won't make much on them. They're on good grass at moment and kg of nuts a day.

Sam Kade

Factories don't want bulls over 16 months now and a carcass weight of 250 kg or over. You also need a contract with the factory.

Miley2

Fresian bulls are very hard to finish at 16 months. Also the factories will not be knocking down your door to take them off you.
I have sent a few in the last few weeks. They had good killout weight but they ate a serious amount of meal. I think when I do up my costs, I will have very little profit.
I have being doing bull beef for the last 4 years and have never had a contract. Also carcass weight would never of been under 300kg unless it was an injured animal.

Sam Kade

Miley2 wrote: »

Fresian bulls are very hard to finish at 16 months. Also the factories will not be knocking down your door to take them off you.
I have sent a few in the last few weeks. They had good killout weight but they ate a serious amount of meal. I think when I do up my costs, I will have very little profit.
I have being doing bull beef for the last 4 years and have never had a contract. Also carcass weight would never of been under 300kg unless it was an injured animal.

Would that of been the weight you got them to or the weight the factory want them?

mf240

When you say your are starting out.

I assume money is tight but you are very lightly stocked.

If this is the case then castrate them and let them grow into money.

Miley2

Sam Kade wrote: »

Would that of been the weight you got them to or the weight the factory want them?

Being honest, I have never had an issue with them being over-weight. I have even had a few agents come and say they could do with a few more weeks.
I take your point, and I have heard factories will get stricter next year on what type of bull they will take(age/weight).

Saying that I have 25 bulls that I dont plan on having finished till November and the majority will be over 16 months so I am hoping it won't be an issue

bogman_bass

If it was me I'd squeeze them

Farmer Pudsey

At present it look like the Fresian Bull trade is going to be limited to May/June and December to January. For December to january bulls will be under 24 months however price may be 10 cent below the base price depending on availibility. May/June is a different case some bulls will be under 16 months however factory's are always stuck for cattle and may well take cattle over 24 months if you are willing to gamble. However weight is the real issue they do not want carcasses over 400kg any more and are getting more fussy about it.

Finishinh 4 cattle may not be worth your while however with fresians you have little option unless you can carry them to 600kgs liver weight and sell then. The other issue with fresians is that none will grade as bullocks any longer and most will be over 30 months when they finish.

Conversion rate is terrible and in reality I think for most finishers to make money out of them they need to buy as near to finishing as possible and leave the rearer at a loss.

john p mc g

How much would I need to feed them local butcher has slaughter house would that be a better place to bring them

Farmer Pudsey

john p mc g wrote: »

How much would I need to feed them local butcher has slaughter house would that be a better place to bring them

This would be an option however you will need to get thrm to over 475kgs. The target should be next May/June. They would need to kill 220kgs+. It will depend on the price available then. however in reality you will be squeezed on ration prices buying bags of poor preforming nut/ration at 20% more than a finisher would buy.

I would consider trying to get them to 350kgs next March and sell in mart. They will make 200+ with there weight.

john p mc g

Looks like plenty of nuts and silage for winter so. How many kg per day would I need to give them

Farmer Pudsey

john p mc g wrote: »

Looks like plenty of nuts and silage for winter so. How many kg per day would I need to give them

It depends on there weight now and at housing. The quality of your silage. I have them on 1-2kgs at grass now and the same at housing if silage was fairly good this should allow them to gain 0.8-1kg at grass (70-80 kgs weight before housing) and 2-3kgs with silage over the winter if silage is good they will do the same inside (so for 130 day winter 100kgs weight). The question is will it pay they will eat 4-500kgs of nuts each costing you minimum 125 euro and about 13-14 bales of silage@ 20/bale so 70 euro in silage each. It will cost you 200/head between now and mid March.

john p mc g

Farmer Pudsey wrote: »

It depends on there weight now and at housing. The quality of your silage. I have them on 1-2kgs at grass now and the same at housing if silage was fairly good this should allow them to gain 0.8-1kg at grass (70-80 kgs weight before housing) and 2-3kgs with silage over the winter if silage is good they will do the same inside (so for 130 day winter 100kgs weight). The question is will it pay they will eat 4-500kgs of nuts each costing you minimum 125 euro and about 13-14 bales of silage@ 20/bale so 70 euro in silage each. It will cost you 200/head between now and mid March.

Thanks for the advice appreciate it. I think il stick with them for the winter I've enough bales they might just gather a few quid. They say you should always try something once!!!.