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Grazing options pay off with Bilyana Peter and Lisa Hobbs have had their dairy replacements contract grown by Bilyana Grazing for the past two years. They are not only seeing the benefits of having well grown heifers but also additional gains being made in other areas on their farm. Busy concentrating on the herd Peter and Lisa milk 300 autumn calving cows near Ellerslie in Western Victoria. Like most dairy farmers most of their time is taken up with caring for the herd; milking, AI, feeding, caring for calving cows, calf rearing etc. They decided two years ago to have their heifers grown off farm and after looking at a couple of contract grazing options decided to go with Bilyana Grazing. “I liked the fact the property was in a high rainfall area, the farm was well set up for young stock and they seemed to be well organised” Peter said. “The fact that it’s a weight gain arrangement means we can keep track of how our heifers are going, Bilyana have to do a good job otherwise there’s nothing in it for them.” Bilyana Grazing Once the Hobbs’ calves are weaned they are sent to Bilyana Grazing’s home property at Brucknell. On arrival they are drenched, weighed and BVDV vaccinated. Heifers are weighed at 8 week intervals with reports and accounts sent out shortly afterwards. Bilyana Grazing carry out all necessary animal health, supplementary feeding, provide bulls for mating, labour for AI and branding, and pregnancy testing. “Once they’re on the truck we don’t need to worry, we go and look at them every few months, but we never have any worries” Peter said Heifers return to the Peter and Lisa’s farm at point of calving at an average weight of 600kg. “The heifers compete well in the herd and because they are well grown before that first calf, they conceive earlier at next joining ” said Peter.
Additional Benefits Even taking the good harvest season into account Peter estimates he conserves 30-40% more fodder now his young stock are off farm, “We haven’t got all these mouths nipping off feed” Peter says. In addition to this the Hobbs’ have been able to lift cow numbers from 250 to 300 and annual litres per cow has lifted. “We’re pretty selective when choosing genetics to use in the herd, so it’s good to see our cows reaching their potential.” Time usually spent caring for replacement heifers is now divided between growing the farm business and family time. “Having our heifers grown by Bilyana Grazing has benefited our farm business in so many ways.” Peter said. Western District Farmer – April 2008 edition |
