The Farmers Mart Feb/Mar 2014 - Issue 32 | Page 35

CATTLE
G091002A 64x190 (FW)_G091002A 30/08/2013 15:47 Page 1

A breath of fresh air
BAYSCREEN




superior ventilation
outstanding weather protection
lighter environment
 farm assured

a better solution than space boarding
01531 30/08/2013 www.galebreaker.com
G111101B 64x190 FW_G111101B 637900 16:11 Page 1

Bayscreen

farm
assured

Systems for all seasons


superior ventilation



outstanding weather
protection



Rollerscreen

lighter environment
a better solution

01531 637900 www.galebreaker.com

Growing the suckler herd is actually
easy: it needs to be one thing, profitable.
The store producer needs to make a
living along with the feeder and I am very
pleased that recently we have seen this
happen. Processors are also working on
slim margins, and we need them to be
strong. Processors need to pay a price
that allows the feeder to have a margin.
The Economics, profitability of a suckler
herd is directly related to the number of
calves reared per cow served annually.
Recent figures show that the average
calving interval for suckler herds in the
country is 406 days which is somewhat
off the target of 365 days. A cow that
does not calve every 365 days is a drain
on the system and not earning her keep.
This means that in a 100 cow suckler herd
the average farmer is weaning 79 calves
from 100 cows whilst the target should be
more like 95 live calves per 100 cows.
It has been shown in the past that it
costs between £350 to £600 to keep a
suckler cow for the year depending on
land type and whether the cow calves
in the spring or autumn. It is, therefore,
essential that she produces a calf every

To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk

365 days to deliver an output which will
cover this expenditure and produce a
profit.
As everyone knows, some disease and
health issues are difficult to control such as TB. Disease such as BVD and
fluke can, however, be managed and
savings made for the suckler producer.

‘There to preserve
and improve for the
benefit of the public’
Identification and eradication of PIs within
the herd is key to BVD management, with
estimates of £100 per cow being the cost
of BVD within the suckler herd.
Cow management is within our control
but the sale of the end product is in the
hands of others, and if they wish to stay
in the business of processing beef it is
in their own interest to pay a price that
ensures their suppliers remain in business.
Threats of bringing in cheaper imports only
succeed in reducing farmer confidence
and prevent growth in the beef sector.
We need aggressive promotion of beef

by retailers and continued support of high
provenance British beef.
INFORMATION
The National Beef Association is
recognised as the Beef Cattle Industry’s
consultative body and the voice for a wide
range of beef related national industry
committees which direct national beef
industry policy. ¬They are a company
registered by guarantee and membership
is open to everyone with an interest in the
British Cattle Industry. ¬
The NBA is there to preserve and
improve for the benefit of the public, the
general standards of cattle, especially
beef cattle, in the United Kingdom, by
promoting and encouraging the breeding
of beef cattle.
Contact Details: Chris Mallon
Chief Executive – 01434 601 005
– chris@nationalbeefassocation.
co.uk, Nati