Bullocks or Heifers for Summer Finishing ???

dmc123

For the past number of years we have purchased fairly large numbers of AA, Hex and Continental bullocks in the marts and finished them off grass.

The 1st batch head to the factory around the peak of September prices and the remainder then go around November. The system works well, we have excellent land, good facilities, etc etc. they get 16% nuts in final 6 weeks before factory.

My query is this..... Are heifers an alternative ? Would a trail of 50/50 heifers and bullocks grazed separately be worth a try ? The heifer prices generally stay that little bit ahead of the bullocks, but can similar daily weight gain be expected ?

Farm is quality assured

Also, as March approaches I am looking to source groups of cattle ex farm ? Preferably in large bundles... Transport provided and paid on the day. Per head or per kg.

Thanks

epfff

dmc123 wrote: »

For the past number of years we have purchased fairly large numbers of AA, Hex and Continental bullocks in the marts and finished them off grass.

The 1st batch head to the factory around the peak of September prices and the remainder then go around November. The system works well, we have excellent land, good facilities, etc etc. they get 16% nuts in final 6 weeks before factory.

My query is this..... Are heifers an alternative ? Would a trail of 50/50 heifers and bullocks grazed separately be worth a try ? The heifer prices generally stay that little bit ahead of the bullocks, but can similar daily weight gain be expected ?

Farm is quality assured

Also, as March approaches I am looking to source groups of cattle ex farm ? Preferably in large bundles... Transport provided and paid on the day. Per head or per kg.

Thanks

Heifers work well for summer finishing but they don't come into as big of weights
it all about the price on Day of purchase
As in buying cattle off the land I find that most guys don't know the price of them and are slow to sell at home
I always say there is that they can take @least 50 less at home with Mart Expenses haulage and cattle look better fresh on the ground than after a day standing in the mart

Marooned75

I agree heifers dont killout as heavy but if you are going to try it 50/50 is no bad thing

just do it

The advantage of bullocks is they never coming bulling and don't turn up in calf.

Reggie.

anyone deal with the Hennessy calf farm in tipp , was going to have a look down there one of the days?

dmc124

Are you thinking of running the bullocks and heifers together ? I would be reluctant to do so, with the heifers coming in heat every 21 days, resulting in lots of mounting by the bullocks in particular, resulting in possible loss of thrive and maybe injury.

Far from being a " prophet of doom ", I would welcome views from herdowners with this experience of running both together. The margins of cost price Vs selling prices would be very interesting.

Reggie.

dmc124 wrote: »

Are you thinking of running the bullocks and heifers together ? I would be reluctant to do so, with the heifers coming in heat every 21 days, resulting in lots of mounting by the bullocks in particular, resulting in possible loss of thrive and maybe injury.

Far from being a " prophet of doom ", I would welcome views from herdowners with this experience of running both together. The margins of cost price Vs selling prices would be very interesting.

i ran a few together last year. Couldnt give you a running cost but it did get a little hairy when the bullocks started mounting and was a little worried about injury to both animals at one point. As for dominance the heifers were the bosses in the field which i found strange as i thought the bullocks being bigger would have taken charge

dmc124

dmc124 wrote: »

Are you thinking of running the bullocks and heifers together ? I would be reluctant to do so, with the heifers coming in heat every 21 days, resulting in lots of mounting by the bullocks in particular, resulting in possible loss of thrive and maybe injury.

Far from being a " prophet of doom ", I would welcome views from herdowners with this experience of running both together. The margins of cost price Vs selling prices would be very interesting.

AMMENDMENT :- Aploogies, you did say grazed separately. In this case I would say go for it, do your own experiment on the holding, wher you will have all the results to hand and as stated the margins would be interesting, with the heifers likeky to cost a lesser % outlay,-good luck !

ellewood

dmc123 wrote: »

For the past number of years we have purchased fairly large numbers of AA, Hex and Continental bullocks in the marts and finished them off grass.

The 1st batch head to the factory around the peak of September prices and the remainder then go around November. The system works well, we have excellent land, good facilities, etc etc. they get 16% nuts in final 6 weeks before factory.

My query is this..... Are heifers an alternative ? Would a trail of 50/50 heifers and bullocks grazed separately be worth a try ? The heifer prices generally stay that little bit ahead of the bullocks, but can similar daily weight gain be expected ?

Farm is quality assured




Also, as March approaches I am looking to source groups of cattle ex farm ? Preferably in large bundles... Transport provided and paid on the day. Per head or per kg.

Thanks

Just on this system,

Have you a rough breakdown of costs and margin/gross profit on it??

Do you find it easier with the larger numbers?

Why 16% nut on grass to finish?

Thanks

bob charles

dmc123 wrote: »

Also, as March approaches I am looking to source groups of cattle ex farm ? Preferably in large bundles... Transport provided and paid on the day. Per head or per kg.

Thanks

less of the advertising please

just do it

Reggie. wrote: »

As for dominance the heifers were the bosses in the field which i found strange as i thought the bullocks being bigger would have taken charge

Males without testosterone :pac: