Many farmers may be tempted to invest the windfall they have reaped from historically high beef prices in expensive new housing and handling developments.
However, it’s worth remembering that almost all of those compelling farm development stories we keep reading about concern people who only farm on a part-time basis.
Their off-farm sources of income provide a secure financial parachute unavailable to their full-time peers.
While high beef prices lift our spirits, it’s wise to be cautious in these uncertain times.
Some people like to live on the edge, but now is not the time for full-time farmers like me to deal with expensive, shiny steel and concrete.
History shows that global food price increases resulting from wars – like the one in Ukraine – quickly return to normal once a conflict has ended. It would be a mistake to get too carried away.
I certainly don’t get carried away looking at the cattle on my farm.
When I’m looking for replacement cattle every fall, I usually try to buy the largest possible steer.
Experience has taught me that buying nice little beef cattle on my farm just doesn’t work.
Whatever the reason, my records over the years show that large, strong Friesian cattle always leave more than the smaller carcasses of traditional beef breeds, regardless of price per kg.
I was a little worried that I might have overdone it this year as I have a lot more large, plain cattle than usual, but I’m not overly down about it.
Last October I bought three very large simple Friesian oxen weighing 465 kg for €800. The fact that they were unfit and one had a hint of jersey dye didn’t put me off.
While these three cattle will never score more than a P, they’ve been thriving since walking on grass. They seem to have a lot of strength and should eventually achieve good carcass weights, especially the one that may have some Jersey blood.
Speaking of weed, I was certainly wrong when I predicted a growth spurt in mid-April. It was not until the beginning of May that growth really started.
Conclude
John Heney’s cattle lick their lips in anticipation of being released into a fresh paddock
John Heney’s cattle lick their lips in anticipation of being released into a fresh paddock
Luckily the good grass cover created by housing cattle in early fall last year saved the day for me. This extra grass cover meant I was able to keep the cattle in each paddock about a day longer than normal, giving me wiggle room to get through this spring’s grass hunger.
The importance of early grass was also underlined in my last herd test.
The cattle came first into the yard, and last onto the grass. Although they seemed to be thriving well, the difference didn’t become apparent until the cattle, which went out on the early grass in mid-March, arrived at the yard.
There was no comparison between the two batches; the cattle that left the barn early have developed very well and, with a bit of luck, should be ready around mid-august. On the other hand, the cattle that had to wait until April for grass will not be ready until late September or maybe October.
John Heney farms in Kilfeackle, Co. Tipperary
https://www.independent.ie/business/farming/beef/beef-advice/john-heney-dont-splurge-your-entire-beef-price-windfall-on-shiny-new-sheds-41677773.html John Heney: Don’t blow your whole beef price on shiny new scales
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