Finishing heifers bought from dairy herd

Tyson Lannister

I just sold a bunch of March 14 born black whitehead heifers. They averaged 420 kg and made €800 each. I was disappointed with the price as they were good animals.
They were straight off grass with no ration - there were 2 May born which brought down the average weight. I would guess some were 440 kg.
Would there be anything to be gained from finishing them myself?
How long would it take?
How much meal would it take?
What price could I hope to get from factory?
Any input appreciated.

Count Mondego

It's strange alright. From going to the mart in the last 3 months, I think there far greater value in buying year and a half's rather than weanlings. Problem for you is that your only market is other farmers while weanlings are being bid on by exporters as well as 16 month bull finishers. For me, makes more sense to buy the year and a half as I'd be a year closer to my money.

Sam Kade

Tyson Lannister wrote: »

I just sold a bunch of March 14 born black whitehead heifers. They averaged 420 kg and made €800 each. I was disappointed with the price as they were good animals.
They were straight off grass with no ration - there were 2 May born which brought down the average weight. I would guess some were 440 kg.
Would there be anything to be gained from finishing them myself?
How long would it take?
How much meal would it take?
What price could I hope to get from factory?
Any input appreciated.

Probably 100 days to finish 5 bales of silage and 600kg meal a head which would cost close to 300/hd you might break even. Those type of cattle are better finished off grass but it takes a long time.

Willfarman

4 months feeding. Silage and avg 4 kgs meal. Say half tonne. €130. Say €120 for silage and straw. 800 + 250=1050 break even. Conservative weight gain .9 a day. 110. Kg plus 420 kg be 530 kg. ko at 53% 280kg carcass. Shot in dark at beef price but hope for 4.20 €1180. 130 gross margin. Minus vetinary and potential losses. Minus fixed costs.

Don't lose sleep over it. the finisher won't be cruising the Algarve on the back of them. But he should have a twist outa them. And you surely wouldn't begrudge him that!?

Carrigogunnell

Don't feel so bad I had 3 aax heifers in the mart last Thursday now they are poor ones pointy bellish but anyhow 405kgs €620 brought em home goin to feed them on myself for the local butcher

CloughCasey1

Willfarman wrote: »

4 months feeding. Silage and avg 4 kgs meal. Say half tonne. €130. Say €120 for silage and straw. 800 + 250=1050 break even. Conservative weight gain .9 a day. 110. Kg plus 420 kg be 530 kg. ko at 53% 280kg carcass. Shot in dark at beef price but hope for 4.20 €1180. 130 gross margin. Minus vetinary and potential losses. Minus fixed costs.

Don't lose sleep over it. the finisher won't be cruising the Algarve on the back of them. But he should have a twist outa them. And you surely wouldn't begrudge him that!?

I heard you have your own cruiser on the Shannon! You sure you didn't buy them?

Willfarman

Yea and everyone thought the Costa Concordia went for scrap!

Jb1989

They say will, now owns the government jet,
He checks the bulls out in the low paddocks,
He bought and fixed her at humble money,
Don't know how true but I'd say it's fairly possible.

Willfarman

Ah **** it I'm gonna fall hard though lads! Easy got easy lost..Look at Sean Quinn..

Cassidy2

Willfarman wrote: »

Ah **** it I'm gonna fall hard though lads! Easy got easy lost..Look at Sean Quinn..

Sean has plenty of money 💵

Bullocks

Willfarman wrote: »

Ah **** it I'm gonna fall hard though lads! Easy got easy lost..Look at Sean Quinn..

If you end up like Sean Quinn you'll be alright