Finishing bulls at grass gives farm’s margins a boost

Key to Duncan and Claire’s system at Meikle Maldron near Banchory, is rotational paddock grazing on high quality grass. Swards are mainly ryegrass with red and white clover and a small amount of plantain and chicory, seeking to maximise nutrition from grass.

The Deeside Monitor Farm split bulls into two groups at turnout in April; those over 350kg and those weighing less, and both groups moved paddocks every two days or so.

They started feeding about 1kg/head of concentrate in February, and continued this in the field using an ATV and snacker after they were turned out in mid-April. Towards the end of summer, the feed rate increased and some barley was introduced as the higher starch helped them finish.

The bulls were sold prime to Kepak prior to their 16-month birthday, with an average sale liveweight of 602kg, and a daily liveweight gain of 0.93kg/day over their lifetime. Average carcass weight was 325kg, with a killing out figure of 54%.

SAC Consulting senior beef and sheep specialist, Kirsten Williams said total variable costs fell from £629/head for the previous year’s intensively fed bulls to £217/head for the grazed bulls.

The biggest difference was in purchased concentrate costs; a total of £546/head for intensive bulls, falling to £157/head for those in the grazing trial.

Accounting for forage costs, including grazing, the gross margin for grazed bulls was £501, compared with £184 for the intensive bulls. With fixed costs taken into account, net margin was £229 for grazed bulls, which was £132 better than the intensive bulls.

Things to consider

Kirsten noted that the system would not suit every farmer. Ensuring the right bull is chosen for the system is an essential point, she added. “Bulls should be analysed at weaning and again pre-turnout for their suitability for the system, with any animal below average being questioned. These animals may be better suited to finishing intensively or selling off farm.”

Supplementary feeding at grass via a snacker worked well for the system, but she said grades, weights and killing out percentages could be improved if this supplement was offered earlier, with protein and energy balanced to meet the bulls’ growing requirements.

Duncan has already taken many of these points on board. “We will look at feeding concentrate from weaning, keeping them ticking along better and it should lift turnout weight so there is less catching up to do in summer at grass.”

He has also been more selective about which male cattle are selected for the system, castrating more of the ‘bottom end’ of performers. “We will either finish these ourselves or sell as forward stores.”

For Duncan, the trial has been worthwhile, and it’s something he is planning to do again this year.

Read more about animal nutrition.

Read more livestock news.