Replacements not problem, says HUKI

28 September 2001

Replacements not problem, says HUKI

FEARS about dairy replacement stock prices increasing in the wake of foot-and-mouth are unfounded, as there are plenty of dairy heifers and cows available to make up the shortfall.

That is the view of Holstein UK & Ireland chief executive David Hewitt. "A number of people are waiting to leave the industry and from a pedigree perspective, there are many heifers available for restocking."

Restocking will be spread over a period of time which will help maintain stock values at sensible levels and there is evidence of co-operation between producers to maintain a viable industry, he said. "Some HUKI members are making animals available for sale that they would normally have kept to help producers restock, so there are sufficient suitable bloodlines available to maintain quality."

However, Drew Sloan, regional business director at Genus believes there could be a shortage of replacement heifers over the next couple of years. "Since the end of the calf processing scheme we have seen high levels of beef inseminations. Previously, about 65% of cows were inseminated with dairy sires: this figure has fallen to 55%."

Although he suspects there is already significant trading as restocking producers source replacements, there is little market information. "Deals are being done. But in the absence of markets, no one knows what is being paid for stock."

Breed societies attending the Dairy Event reported high levels of interest in sourcing animals and whole herds for restocking. David Sayce, chief executive of the Ayrshire Society, reported a number of enquiries from Cumbrian producers who previously had Holstein Friesian cattle. "They were looking for longevity and improved milk quality; both characteristics associated with Ayrshire cows."

Fearing increasing demand for replacement stock in the future, Robert Latham, who runs a 200-cow flying herd near Wrexham is keeping stock numbers up. "We have been fortunate this year in sourcing heifers locally from someone leaving the industry and a heifer rearer.

"However, a flat value of £900 being paid for any age of dairy cow or heifer going on the welfare disposal scheme earlier in the year meant we had to pay high prices for these animals to secure them. It is terrible to think that fresh calved heifers were ending up in burners." &#42

SOURCING REPLACEMENTS

&#8226 Sensible values.

Lack of market information.

Plenty of pedigree Holsteins.

SOURCING REPLACEMENTS

&#8226 Sensible values.

&#8226 Lack of market information.

&#8226 Plenty of pedigree Holsteins.