Decision guidance
When choosing an appropriate calf rearing system for rearing calves up to 12 weeks of age there are four key considerations.
For further guidance on costings, download the spreadsheet.
- The end market: Is the intention to sell calves at 12 weeks or to take them through to finishing? If the intention is to sell them on at 12 weeks, how will calves be marketed?
- Livestock auction – variable trade and market forces
- Direct to a finisher – control of a privately agreed deal
- Livestock Marketing Group – guaranteed rearing payment per head or a guaranteed forward price.
- Labour: Different systems will vary in the type and amount of labour they require. Some systems will require greater expertise and sophistication, while some will rely more heavily on the availability of man hours. Take into consideration:
- Labour force – availability, adaptability to change and skills offered
- General practice – integration with other enterprises, hands required and ease of delegation.
- Buildings and facilities: Many redundant farm buildings and current housing layouts from past enterprises will adapt to rearing calves. However, is a system being chosen to be based around what already exists or is there a willingness to adapt buildings and facilities around a desirable system? When considering current or projected facilities, think:
- Pens – ventilation; space (base on a minimum of 1.5m2/ calf)
- Muck – handling efficiency and storage including drainage of urine
- Straw – supply and storage
- Utilities – water and electric availability
- Handling – facilities and efficiency
- Feeding equipment - second hand, new or hired; feeding efficiency and output.
- Input costs: These are hugely variable and will vary on an individual basis:
- Feeds and concentrate – performance versus cost, suppliers & nutritional advice
- Veterinary – services available, vaccination possibilities, potential medical/health costs
- Purchase of calves – purchase prices, source of purchase (own, private or dealer), dairy or beef breed, transport and fuel prices
- Utilities – water and electricity usage
- Straw – delivered in or domestically supplied and volume required
- Labour – time and wages.
