Plan ahead to increase winter finishing profit
Plan ahead to increase winter finishing profit
BEEF producers aiming to exploit surplus forage and cheaper feed by storing or buying in extra stock must plan feed use, housing and labour to maximise potential gains.
So says Suffolk-based Signet consultant Geoff Fish who believes rising optimism in the beef market is encouraging suckled calf producers to store or finish stock.
"Other producers may be considering buying in extra steers at eight months old, keeping them for the two-month retention period and selling them with subsidies.
"This will accrue over £80 a head and is a process which could be repeated through the winter."
However, he warns that numbers must be balanced carefully, especially where producers are claiming extensification payments.
Also, feed stocks must be estimated accurately to ensure there is sufficient to store or finish additional cattle.
Mr Fish calculates that a dry suckler cow needs 20kg of silage a day plus straw, with medium-sized stores requiring a further 20kg silage a head a day through the winter.
"For finishing bought-in Continental crosses, ad lib silage and about 700kg of concentrates will be needed. For early maturing British breeds this is considerably less at about 450kg concentrate and ad lib silage. So breeds also need to be considered before purchase," says Mr Fish.
ADAS beef and sheep consultant Elwyn Rees also urges producers to consider housing and labour constraints.
"With increased feed requirement there is a higher labour use. While dry cows need feeding only once a day, finishers offered cereal diets need feeding at least twice a day," says Dr Rees.
Weekend overtime payments will rise sharply in some cases, and these costs must always be compared with potential gains of keeping additional cattle.
Housing constraints will also affect productivity and are an important consideration.
"Cutting available space increases the likelihood of disease outbreaks and infection spreading through the herd, especially where stock is bought-in for storing or finishing," warns Dr Rees.
"It is vital, therefore, that there is enough space for bought-in cattle to be isolated from the herd," he adds.n
MANAGING EXTRA CATTLE
• Calculate feed requirements.
• Choose breeds carefully.
• Consider disease risks.