Project Introduction - Future proofing a beef unit- Embracing technology to improve target specification success
Geraint Evans, Penrallt Farm typically finishes 400 black and white Friesian steer crosses and Hereford/Aberdeen steer crosses annually. Cattle are all bought at market from different suppliers ranging from 24-30 months old. The cattle are weighed on arrival, approximately every 3-4 weeks thereafter and when leaving for slaughter.
The farm doesn’t have issues hitting the required weights and grades (3 or 4L) but would like to run a more efficient system, by analysing DLWG and maximising feed usage. The project will incorporate EID technology, measuring DLWG and new thermal imaging technology to increase finishing and manage any health issues.
In 2018 the farm took 3 cuts of silage and bought in 250 tonnes of dry barley at £150/tonne. They are fed on store rations mixed with home grown silage. Majority of cattle are bought in during September,October and November. They are kept on farm for 4-5 months until required weights have been hit.
Store cattle finishers are often faced with uncertain market prices and volatile commodity prices. The 2016 John Nix Farm Management Pocketbook highlights the large variation that store cattle finishers encounter throughout the year. The average gross margin per head for summer finishing dairy stores stands at £168 whilst winter finishing dairy store cattle systems are making on average a £4 loss per head. Things are slightly different with suckler bred store cattle, with summer finishers returning a gross margin per head of £348 and winter finishers £24.
Beef processors are tightening their specifications. Incorporating the required carcase weight and fat cover specifications from the processor into the plan and increasing farmer/processor engagement will improve financial outcomes for the farmer. Using the end specifications and working backwards to plan feed rations throughout the rearing and finishing period will allow the farmer to hit targets and ensure they finish more cattle efficiently and not incur any financial penalties.
What will be done:
Work for this project will be spilt into three parts
- Base line assessment of the herd health prior to project commencement
Using the farmers vet to provide a documented health plan blueprint for best practice in terms of health management for the beef production system. For any bought in animals, there may be issues such as Johne’s, TB, fluke and parasites to consider as well as a possible need for an IBR vaccine where animals are being mixed from several sources.
At this stage of the project, progression meetings could be held to highlight key areas where farmers can assess cattle health issues for bought in cattle.
- Nutritional planning
We will carry out an assessment of the ration used prior to the start of the project (currently TMR Total Mixed Ration) and compare costs to new rations. Nutrition will be closely evaluated, with a dedicated nutritionist appointed to oversee the rations on a monthly basis. Silage samples from the pit will be analysed monthly and any tweaks to the rations will be made in response. Data from the EID/weigh system will be used to adjust rations and full costs of rations will be taken for project end return on investment analysis. We will also aim to maximise profitability in the final weeks of finishing by looking at a graph of DLWG against feed cost and aim to sell the animal before the point where they cross. We will be using Hefin Richards as our Nutritional Specialist Consultant.
- Incorporating technology into the system
Geraint is keen to look at how EID technology and routine weighing can be integrated into the system to aid in monitoring physical performance and aid financial decision making. A new and functional EID system and reader will be used to monitor cattle weights every 2 weeks to monitor DLWG. The data will be reported back to the nutritionist to ensure the ration is delivering results.
EID/weigh reader system will allow the farmer to identify poor performing cattle sooner allowing him to make better management decisions on farm.