AT A time when milk prices are at an all-time low, a new calf collection centre opening for business at Little Strickland, just south of the Border, will provide a welcome opportunity for hard-pressed farmers in the region to boost farm incomes.
The new Buitelaar Calf Collection Centre – for veal and beef production – will be operated by Dave Wharton, who runs his family's High Hall Farm, at Little Strickland, with his father, Peter. 
Mr Wharton will be supplying the Buitelaar Group with cattle by procuring animals for the system, as well as continuing to rear his own cattle. 
Over the past two years, the group has seen an increase in the number of dairy farmers using its services, as part of a sustainable, viable option to help increase financial returns. It is for this reason that a collection centre at High Hall Farm is being opened on Monday.
Calves come into centres between 14 and 42 days of age, with the ideal Buitelaar weight being 52-75kg. 
After weighing, farmers are told the price they will receive based on a grid, with the details used to work out daily liveweight gain. 
These figures are sent back to the farmer so he or she knows how their calves are performing. 
Calves are not sold or put into calve rearing centres if they fail to hit the target for daily liveweight gain (DLWG) of more than 0.4 kg per day. Payment to the farmer is based on weight, breed and age.
Managing director, Adam Buitelaar, said the business has been based on direct supply from farmer to producer. 
“The initial reason calf collection centres were set up was to give our supply chain a source of calves where we could provide a health history of the calf and reduce middle-man costs. 
“We must do everything we can to add value. The reason we calculate DLWG is because, more often than not, a poor performing calf in the early stages of life will remain on a poor weight curve.
Mr Wharton added: “Calves arrive on a Monday, are weighed on arrival, sorted into respective groups and go out on the same day, enabling the facility to be cleaned, disinfected and rested until the following week. 
“Farmers can deliver the calves themselves, but I’ll also collect calves using our own transport.” 
After sorting into groups, calves are transported to designated Buitelaar rearing farms and reared as rosé veal, or achieve finishing at 11 and 13 months of age.
One local farmer who is already supplying his black and white bull calves to the system is Stephen Brough, who milks 320 Holsteins at Buckabank, Dalston. 
“We’ve been supplying calves to Buitelaar for over a year now and are happy with the service and system. Dave picks the calves up from the farm aged between 21-42 days old,” said Mr Brough.
“In the past, the calves went down to Garstang, but now we go to High Hall Farm, near Shap. 
“This is far less stressful for them rather than being transported around marts, and is therefore much more animal health and welfare friendly. 
“The system is fully integrated, transparent and is a great benefit to dairy farmers,” he added.