Follow the guides for success in buying heifer replacements
Follow the guides for success in buying heifer replacements
By Richard Allison
THERE are many pitfalls to buying in-calf heifers from unknown sources, but following guidelines will ensure successful selection in the coming months with a likely shortage due to foot-and-mouth.
ADAS Direct recently published a guide, based on five years experience of buying thousands of UK and Dutch heifers. There are successes, where shipped in heifers have topped sales and gone on to classify well, but you still need to pick the right ones.
The first step is to formulate a heifer specification that will meet long-term business aims, says ADAS Directs David Pettitt. "Write down what you want before seeing any animals. Consider PIN value, somatic cell count, 305-day yield of the dam and what expected milk quality figures are consistent with your milk contract.
"The next step is to check animals against this specification. Make sure you receive the information required. Is dam milk yield predicted or real and do converted PIN values relate to the correct base year?
"Resist the temptation to go for lower quality animals just to make numbers up." ADAS Direct regularly rejects 75% of animals when they are seen in the flesh, he adds.
Mr Pettitt recommends taking notes when viewing heifers. It is amazing what will be forgotten after seeing 60 heifers on 20 farms in a day.
"Mark animals as definites, possibles and rejects. Then at the end of the viewing, select the heifers to be bought. Avoid making instant decisions, especially for the odd higher spec animal that invariably comes with a higher price tag."
He also advises checking if the price includes insurance and transport costs. Most agents insure against abortions for seven days after delivery. But experience shows they tend to occur 8-30 days after arrival.
"When negotiating, remember that most dealers have a sliding scale, so it is worthwhile agreeing a fixed price beforehand."
BUYING IN HEIFERS
• Determine your requirements.
• Check cover against abortion.