‘Prioritise culling to ease cost pressures’

Implementing a hard cull policy in the year ahead could help alleviate rising costs facing many livestock businesses, say advisers.

Removing unproductive stock and utilising grazing more efficiently could protect the bottom line of many farm businesses, according to experts from SAC Consulting.

Sheep and grassland specialist Poppy Frater says farmers should try to take a step back from day-to-day challenges facing the industry and think strategically about the direction they wish to take their stock.

“If you are concerned about the costs involved in making enough forage, then one way to alleviate the pressure is to use this year as a hard cull year for animals that don’t suit your farm strategy,” she suggests.

Ms Frater says farmers should consider their genetic priorities. Farmers should at least cull those animals which as diagnosed barren, those that prolapse and livestock with severe feet or udder issues.

“If you want to prioritise low intervention maternal genetics, select against those that have difficult birthing. If temperament is an issue, cull hard on the main offenders. If you wish to tighten the calving or lambing spread – cull those that birthed later.”

With input costs continuing to rise, Ms Frater says many farmers will face unnecessarily high bills unless they optimise their herd and flock management. Farmers should cut silage strategically to mitigate future costs, she adds. Similarly, rotational grazing can increase grass utilisation without added inputs.

“With rising feed costs, making the best quality silage for pregnant ewes and growing stock will reduce the ration cost further down the line. Don’t be tempted to delay cutting to go for bulk with less fertiliser, as this will be more costly later.”