T E C H N I C A L
Future role of the Shorthorn in commercial herds Gavin Hill, Beef Specialist, SAC Consulting
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onversations in the market are often ‘There is no money in the beef cow’. Recently beef farmers have seen their costs dramatically increase in all areas, but it is mainly the feed, fertiliser and fuel cost increases that are weighing heavily on the business. Previous store and finished cattle increases did move incomes to a level that many felt was sustainable allowing them to move two steps forward, but then the increase in costs simply moved them three steps backwards. As John F Kennedy said; “The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.” Cattle finishers want more return for their product, but with the current economic squeeze the retailers will not want to increase the retail price and face consumer resistance. Usually, this in turn leads to a rise in imports filling the shelves, but with imports more expensive because of Sterling’s weakness it can mean potential increases in prices. In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing and the worst thing you can do is nothing. We cannot hide from reality. With most livestock farms it will be the sheep that have been the positive sector that continues to drive any form of making profit. Changes are happening now and many cannot wait for policy to get there. When decisions are made such as tree planting as we see now then it simply cannot be switched back when policy does come along. Autumn 2022 has seen spring calving cows being scanned early, with empty cows culled after weaning. Breeding sales
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B eef Shorthorn C attl e S oc i ety J o ur n al 2 0 2 3
saw in-calf cows with their calves being purchased by other herds which were looking to increase numbers or simply replace older cull cows for a younger herd. Other sales simply saw the calf weaned and the cow sold to the abattoir. Cull cow values have been the most lucrative of any of the other beef enterprises. These animals are in demand as they supply the low value cuts such as mince which consumers are now more focused on. Culling cows, however, does not result in same level of overheads also going down the road that day. The result can often be less output, but more costs per livestock unit left on the farm. A plan has to be in place of what do with existing overheads, such as sheds, buildings and machinery. Also, what is the impact to many with their sheep enterprises? Cattle and sheep work off each other, as do beef and arable enterprises. Livestock producers who have the scale and scope to winter outside and maximise hill and upland ground with their hardier maternal type cows can often make it work. They have the cow for the environment, but still put Continental bulls over these cows to produce the right animal for the marketplace. This system really does keep costs down, but not everyone can do it. There can be no doubt that those who have dedicated considerable time to altering their grass systems have certainly made an impact with lower inputs. In fact, many are now using no artificial fertiliser. Thought has to go to how the maternal breeds will suit the commercial breeder and how, if focused on, could provide a sustainable sucker cow for the future.
