I think if you factor in the higher value of the non fresian calves and the reduced workload not having to do AI it mightn't cost anything extra to buy the heifers. €850 should buy a heifers in March ready for the bull. Ask other farmers if they know of anyone with heifers to sell and do your homework to see if they have good herds. Find out what their litres and solids are. A lot of lads milk record so will be able to show you. Look at the mothers obviously to see if their type of cow would fit in with your system. Ask them what they vaccinate for, if they answer straight away with a list of things they're on the level. Try buy from the one herd.
Depends if its dear land or not really. An extra few acres could be a big help if they change the nitrates rules. It could keep you out of being classed as an 'intensive' farm and having to meet a whole load of new rules.
Maybe just AI everything for the first 3 weeks then bull after that. At least there would be an end to it then. Keep whatever calves you need then to keep the grass down.
Seems to becoming the new thing now. Hearing more and more guys going down this road year on year. It will take a serious about of work off you. But is someone else's cow better then yours? It's a big disease factor you have to make sure the guy your are buying off is on his game. And stay out of marts
Ah sure lad abit of both. One man was on his own as his son was in school still so was labour for him. He comes back every year to buy a couple of freshly calved 2nd calvers. The other man I know just wants to milk as many cows as he can off his ground and sees young stocks using valuable ground on cows. I sopose you will get a pick of good cows out there and be able to build your herd profile but just be careful how you choose from.
We are the same I could milk 170 if every year was like this year but if weather was difficult be a different story. Ya he's been buying off us awhile now. We usually sell 10 or so depending. Had a few go to a robot this year also.
Well it's one thing dad and I insist on is if you sell a good animal you will keep a good name cos bad news spreads quicker then good. Not really as they are your own stock if you had someone rearing them for you. I think buying calfed heifers might be better for you as you know the animal is milking and all quarters are good
Ya might be alright. Hard one to win on. Could try do a deal on pay a deposit and get them a few days after calving once all is ok. You'd hear stories from the vet problem calvings cos of poor management and incorrect sire choice
I'd much rather put them in calf myself and have them trained in the parlour before they calve. No one to blame then. If you feed the heifers right there shouldn't be an issue calving. If one or two don't end up milking a long and fruitful life then so what, that's farming, fatten her and get your money back.
I think if you have good genetics in the herd you are mad not to breed your own stock IMO. In podge 23 case here if you are on top of ai and ebi and know what traits your herd needs, you can easily pick bulls to suit your top cows and breed from them only. Then you only need 25 at max replacements so in theory ai 60 cows to black and white early give them one straw of b nd w and any that repeat go to stock bull. If 80% hold you will have 48ish fr calfs, probably end up half bull half heifer that leave you about 24 replacement heifers from your top cows. Sell everything else. And if you have more heifer calfs your on the pigs back you have choice to go to the mart or sell down the road and make a extra few Bob off them
