Continental breeds best policy for replacements
Continental breeds best policy for replacements
Suckler cow quality was the subject of much debate at
Suckler 2000 in Northern Ireland. James Garner reports
Suckler cow quality was the subject of much debate at
Suckler 2000 in Northern Ireland. James Garner reports
BEEF producers should improve cow quality using more Continental breeds and move away from dairy bred replacements.
In post-BSE markets, experts at Suckler 2000 hosted by Enniskillen College, Northern Ireland, said producers needed to focus on quality and remove the deleterious effects of Holsteins on beef quality.
The modern suckler cow replacement from the dairy herd is now Angus x Holstein Friesian, which is a poor quality cow, said Desmond Patterson, researcher at the Agricultural Research Instit-ute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough. "This animal is far different to Angus x Friesians used 10 years ago."
Raymond Steen, head of beef research at Hillsborough agreed. "There is no doubt that the quality of suckler herds in the province has dropped in the last 10-15 years." This is evident in store markets, which have many more plain 0 grade cattle than a few years ago.
Producers needed to produce U and R grade finished cattle to compete on world markets as other countries could produce lower quality beef far more cheaply, he warned.
He believes many producers keeping poor quality replacements as they could not afford to sell heifers at such low values.
Increasing depreciation costs for bulls was also having an effect on quality. Before BSE a good bull cost £2500-£3000 and would be worth £1000-£1200 after five years use for its carcase. Its depreciation costs were about £250/year.
Now, he said, it would cost more to buy a good bull with performance figures – about £4000. "After five to six years use this bull would only be worth £300 for beef." Depreciation costs are, therefore, far higher at £650/year.
Accompanying increasing costs of bulls has been a decline in AI use because of low profitability and more part-time farmers, making it difficult to manage AI.
For improvements to be made, he said that the first aim must be to increase carcass classification.
According to Dr Patterson, the first step to this is breeding your own replacements. "Investing another £100 in breeding your own heifers will pay you back an extra £300 in her lifetime." There are few items that cost £100 and yield another £300, he said.
A study at Enniskillen College showed that using 100% Continental cows would earn producers £23/animal sold or £920 in a 40-cow herd, said Dr Patterson.
This gain came through a combination of increased leanness, better conformation and heavier carcass weight, but he warned that there may be associated problems at calving. *
BETTERCOWS
• Breed own replacements.
• Use breed to suit your farm.
• Choose bulls with good EBVs.
Suckler cow replacements from the dairy herd are much poorer quality today, says Desmond Patterson.