The main consideration is whether to castrate these calves, store them over the winter period and finish them at 22-23 months or to keep them entire and fatten them intensively as bulls at 14 months of age. The extensification limits are less likely to be breached. Bulls have a higher percentage kill-out.
Bulls have a higher daily liveweight gain and more efficient food conversion.
If a farmer decides to keep his calves as bulls, it is critical that he establishes a market for these bulls. Currently one meat plant is offering contracts to its members for a limited number of Farm Quality Assured bulls of continental breeding which are within clearly defined weight limits, carcase grade and fat level specifications. Farmers, who during the past year have produced good quality young continental bred bulls from the suckler herd without a contract, have generally, received similar prices to those paid for steers. Nevertheless, like most agricultural commodities, it is critical that farmers ensure there is a market for bulls before they embark upon this production system. It is also important to carry out a detailed budget and sensitivity analysis to establish if such a system is profitable.