Page 75 - NZ Herefords Magazine 2018

Industry Focus

Calf

rearing

calculator

a valuable tool

WORDS REBECCA HARPER
PHOTOGRAPHS REBECCA HARPER / SUPPLIED

FARMERS KEEN TO WORK OUT if rearing dairy beef calves will
add value to their bottom line now have a free, simple to use
tool in the calf rearing calculator.
Developed by Hereford breeders and Marton farmers,
William and Erica Morrison, the calf rearing calculator is an
Excel spreadsheet that can be used online, or downloaded.
The Morrisons, along with the Cranstone family, breed and sell
their Ezicalve Hereford bulls to the dairy beef market and William
believes calf rearing is a good option for farmers to consider.
“I love dairy beef and I think calves are a great option and
hopefully this (calculator) helps people to make informed decisions.”
The spreadsheet calculates the costs and return of rearing
calves and helps farmers work out the most profitable method
for their farming system. Farmers can use the default numbers
provided, or enter their own data. Sources for numbers are
given in the spreadsheet.
The couple developed the calculator when the milk payout
was low, to help farmers evaluate their options.
“The main driver was the milk price was fairly ordinary, and
we were doing the sums on instead of dairy farmers selling the
milk, what if they turned their milk into beef by rearing calves?
“Based on that year’s milk value it was more profitable to
put the milk into calves and turn it into beef than sell the milk,”
William says.
The calculator helps evaluate different scenarios, like a calf
rearer buying milk powder or milk off a dairy farmer, a dairy
farmer looking at rearing calves, or someone starting out looking
for an economic way to get into stock. TOP TO BOTTOM: A new calf rearing calculator can help farmers
“All the hard work on a bunch of different variables is done evaluate if rearing dairy beef calves will add value to their bottom
line; dairy beef calves are sought after by calf rearers for their good
for you. You can see, ‘how much will it cost me? What is my performance and increased marketing options.
profit margin? And which system will work best for me?’
“There were 100,000 extra calves reared from the dairy
sector for beef last year – there is an interest and a demand
for calves and this is a simple tool to help people explore their
options and make decisions.”
William says the outlook for beef continues to be positive and Anyone can use the free calculator, visit:
rearing calves could suit a wide range of farming businesses. http://www.ezicalve.co.nz/calf-rearing-calculator/

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