Fears of suckler downsizing amid cull-cow bonanza

Alarm bells are ringing over suckler herd liquidation as a paper-thin hole between cull and prime beef deadweight costs props up nationwide beef manufacturing.

Cashing in first rate R-grade suckler cows for 390-410p/kg seems to be a greater wager for some herds than going through fertiliser payments and the price of one other 200-day winter.

That is simply 30p/kg shy of record-level prime beef costs and has led to worries in each the dairy and beef sectors about crucial mass. March suckler cow slaughter hit a four-year-high, lifting 8.6% on the 12 months to 12,700-head.

See additionally: Mince demand brings optimism on cull cows

Such reductions will provide alternatives for some herds to broaden or for built-in dairy-beef chains to develop – the latter of which considerations some corners of the business.

Nationwide Beef Affiliation chief government Neil Shand recommended there was a “ethical obligation” for retailer-driven built-in dairy-beef programs to cowl the price of rearing calves that may beforehand have been euthanised.

However Mr Shand recommended retailers and milk processors for banning dairy bull calf euthanasia by means of schemes reminiscent of Arla’s eight-week rule. 

‘Inundated’

Scottish livestock advertising co-operative Farmstock says it has been “inundated” with enquiries about suckler herd dispersals or reductions.

Farmstock’s Jonny Williams stated: “I believe we’ll see lots of people promoting the underside 20% of the herd – older cows and drawback cows.”

Nevertheless, he added that some farmers have been seeking to get cows onto marginal arable floor to construct natural matter and soil fertility. These consumers needed native breeds of cattle with excessive well being standing – “one thing that may keep fleshed and be an easy-care-type cow”. 

Spring dispersals

Richard Evans and the workforce at Welshpool Livestock Gross sales have already staged two small dispersals this spring and have extra to come back, together with a herd discount sale in June.

Mr Evans stated the imposition of nitrate weak zones, rising prices and farmers reaching retirement age have been a number of the elements forcing farms to promote up.   

“I’d anticipate younger cow-and-calf outfits to make £1,800-£2,400, possibly as much as £2,500, and the show-type cattle might be £3,000-£4,000,” he stated. “We all the time promote fairly a number of cows and calves in Might and June, and I believe folks will disperse the herd progressively.

“It’s very unlucky that there are fewer cows within the hills. Cows have been part of managing these hills and a few areas, significantly some rougher pasture, will go backwards with out them.

“I might usually say it’s the smaller herds which can be taking a backward step or going out fully.”