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Changing from Sucklers to Drystock

  • 07-08-2018 09:12PM
    #1
    Farmer Dan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 272 ✭✭


    Hi everyone, just looking for some advice if its not too much bother.
    Currently have 18 suckler cows, selling bulls as weanlings & heifers the following spring. Have adequate slatted sheds & some more work to do for paddocks etc.
    Working from home part time atm. Thinking of changing from sucklers to drystock as the might be easier as Im hoping to get back to work fulltime.
    Anyone do similar or any advice which drystock system is best. Farm is mixed land type, in 3 blocks, 22 Ha. Any advice appreciated, PM if you wish.
    Thanks in advance.


Comments

  • #2
    Mac Taylor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,747 ✭✭✭Mac Taylor


    Working full time and sucklers are not ideal, how about rearing dairy calves wouldn’t be any shortage of them and teagasc etc are pushing this, not sure will you make a fortune but you shouldn’t lose one.


  • #3
    Farmer Dan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 272 ✭✭Farmer Dan


    Mac Taylor wrote: »
    Working full time and sucklers are not ideal, how about rearing dairy calves wouldn’t be any shortage of them and teagasc etc are pushing this, not sure will you make a fortune but you shouldn’t lose one.

    Thanks Mac, is this something you do yourself?
    I've read up about all the different systems but just to get someone's first hand experience of what there doing & the pro's & con's would be helpful.


  • #4
    Mac Taylor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,747 ✭✭✭Mac Taylor


    Farmer Dan wrote: »
    Thanks Mac, is this something you do yourself?
    I've read up about all the different systems but just to get someone's first hand experience of what there doing & the pro's & con's would be helpful.

    No:D I’m stilling fooling myself I can do both, realistically I’m not sure of the future of the suckler cow.

    To be thruthful looking at the price of runners it might be the easiest of options.


  • #5
    Farmer Dan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 272 ✭✭Farmer Dan


    Mac Taylor wrote: »
    No:D I’m stilling fooling myself I can do both, realistically I’m not sure of the future of the suckler cow.

    To be thruthful looking at the price of runners it might be the easiest of options.

    That's what I'm trying to decide, buy runners or when the cows go buy back good quality weanlings? Is it best to keep all the same type, either heifers or bullocks? & to just keep one group as on buy once a year & sell once a year?


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