Farmer Focus: It’s a bit of a lottery dealing in store cattle and lambs
Dan Phillips © Richard Swingler The nights are drawing in and autumn is here – and what an easy autumn we are having.
We were of course due one, after the past two abysmal years, but it doesn’t get much better than this.
The drilling has been a breeze.
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We have even had the luxury of being able to hold off on a couple of blackgrass-laden patches until mid-October, but still direct-drill it into superb conditions, followed closely by the Cambridge roll.
Not something I can say has been possible over the past few autumns.
The OSR and turnips are well away and looking very good.
Our dry weather over the summer is a distant memory, and having been desperately short of grazing for the sheep, we now have an embarrassment of grass.
So much so, that we have had to plough in grass that I would have given a right arm for during the summer months.
Heavy lambs
The flush of grass growth has meant lambs have really grown on in the past month or so.
It was pleasing to find some big weights and good fat cover.
Fortunately, we were able to take advantage of the better-than-normal price on heavy lambs offered by the abattoir and have a good clear out.
As we have now sold most of our home-bred lambs and fattening cattle, it is the time of year where the bank account takes a big hit as we look to restock for the winter.
October and November are months where most of our cattle buying (as well as store lambs) takes place.
We will try to cover as many markets as possible, buying most of the stock ourselves, transporting in our own lorry where possible to save money on buyers’ fees and haulage.
Although it does mean there is no one else to blame if mistakes are made.
Strong trade
The store cattle trade is very strong, with numbers seeming lower than usual and strong buying competition on all types.
The U-grade continental types we like to buy are averaging more than £4.50/kg, making it an expensive job to fill the sheds.
This has driven us to look a bit further afield and may mean a bit more time spent in the lorry.
However, as the saying goes, you’ve got to be in it, to win it.