Despite improvements in the value of finished beef cattle and some buoyancy in the store market, the rearing calf market remains somewhat subdued
Following its regular seasonal decline, the market for Friesian/Holstein cross bull calves has maintained its position of being consistently below year-earlier levels in recent weeks.
Last month, such calves were valued at just over £45 per head, which is almost £20 down on the same month in 2015, despite relatively low feed prices and the increase in the beef market.
The market for continental-cross bull calves has also been somewhat subdued this year too and generally down on the year, with the exception of a week or two.
However, prices have strengthened slightly recently, rising £30 per head since May to nearer £280. Hereford-cross bull calves have followed the same trajectory, moving up since the start of the year to average over £200 per head in May, but are still around £10 down year on year.
The AHDB report which outlined the main system options for pure dairy-bred male calves, namely veal production, bull systems and steer systems, encouraged producers to consider alternative feeds other than cereals, including grass in their finishing rations to reduce feed costs. It also recognises the potential for high-quality home-grown conserved forage to control costs. Slaughter age is also a key determinant of feed conversion efficiency and the carbon footprint of a production system, hence in all systems, attention to detail to improve performance has the potential to improve revenues for the producer.
Pure dairy-bred male calves do not have the same carcase conformation as a suckler bred animal but, when produced to meet the market requirements for this type of animal, they can offer economically sound opportunities for beef producers, it claims.