Switch from milking to rearing Angus calves is paying off for one Irish producer

The move from milking cows to rearing and finishing 90 head of Aberdeen-Angus cross calves a year, is definitely one that Noreen Gibney, Co Cavan, doesn’t regret. But, in order to remain profitable, she believes calculating how much these cattle are making her a month is the way to stay on top of things.

“I’ve always used Angus AI on my MRI milking herd due to their easy calving ability, so it was natural for me to look for Angus cross calves once we stopped milking five years ago.” Calves are bought in at about two weeks old from local dairy producers and as far down south as Cork. “I find rearing them from a young age far easier than buying them in as stores; it’s also more cost effective. The biggest plus though is the nature of them. As suck calves they get used to you and are easy to handle when it comes to moving them from field to field.”

Claves this year have cost anything between 120 and 170 euro, and have been as dear as 200 euro, so it’s vital Mrs Gibney has a good handle on the cost of feed it takes to rear and how much she has to sell for to be profitable.

Yearling Angus cross dairy calves out at grass

Having been finished out at grass on the 90 acre farm with a little help from a home blend concentrate mixture, cattle are sold at 18-20 months to a wholesale retailer in Co Mayo where they have been coming back at about 750-800 euro. “Taking feed in to account I calculate how much they make me a month. With prices currently down as low as 750 euro they are back about 19-20euro a head. The best I can average is 40 euro a head, but on average it’s about 33 euro ahead.”

When a supply of quality Angus cross calves have been short, Mrs Gibney has bought in a few Hereford cross calves to keep the numbers up, but she says these take far slower to finish. “The longer I have them, the less they make me a month.”

Noreen Gibney discussing beef price with Leo McEnroe

And like the UK, store trade is “fierce” in Ireland, but Mrs Gibney says selling stores isn’t as easy for her. “We’re in a huge TB area here, so rearing calves and taking them right through is far easier for me without the hassle of being shut down for any length of time.