Transcript Pastured Veal - Penn State University

Pastured Veal
Using Milk Replacer
-versusBrood Cows
Rob Freeland
Purpose
As a start up producer is it more profitable to raise veal
calves on pasture with milk replacer or with brood cows?
Operation Procedures
• 24 veal calves per season; 3 month
season
• On pasture for 7 months of the year
• Animals 3 months of age when
slaughtered
Land & Facility Requirments
• Quality Pasture
• Building
–
–
–
–
House calves in winter
Supplies
Hospital Pen
Feed Storage
Brood Cows-vs-Milk Replacer
2 Year Projection
Brood Cows
• 6 groups of calves
over 2 years
Milk Replacer
• 8 groups of calves
over 2 years
• 138 calves total sent
to slaughter
• 192 calves total sent
to slaughter
• $16,128 of labor
• $5,376 of labor
Brood Cow Production Method
• 3 groups of calves
processed/year
• Labor intensive at
start up
• Healthy, strong calves
produced
Brood Cow Expenses
1 group calves
w/ Brood Cows
2 yr Projection
(6 groups)
Costs ($)
$
Feed
2,160
4,320
Purchase Cows
4,800
4,800
540
4,140
Labor
2,688
16,128
Breeding
1,080
1,080
Other
Equipment
1,200
1,200
Total Cost
16,568
31,668
Veal Sales
9,360
56,160
Purchase
Calves
Net Income ($)
24,492
Animal Health and Quality
The Grafting Process
• 45 minutes- 1 hour
each day/brood cow
• Head gate necessary
to do safely
• Not all calves can be
grafted to brood cows
Milk Replacer Production Method
• 4 groups of calves
processed/year
• Less labor intensive
• Consistent growth
Milk Replacer Expenses
1 group calves w/
Milk Replacer
2 yr Projection (8
groups)
3,600
28,800
Purchase Cows
NA
NA
Purchase Calves
720
5,760
Labor
672
5,376
0
0
400
400
Total Cost
9,492
40,336
Veal Sales
9,360
74,880
Costs ($)
Feed
Breeding
Other Equipment
Net Income ($)
34,544
Mobile Milk Feeder
-Feeder allows for many
calves to feed at one time
-Less labor intensive
-Easier then a bottle
Photos from www.peachteatnipple.com
Partial Budget
1 group calves w/
Brood Cows
Costs ($)
2 yr Projection (6
groups)
1 group calves w/
Milk Replacer
2 yr Projection
(8 groups)
$
Feed
2,160
4,320
3,600
28,800
Purchase Cows
4,800
4,800
NA
NA
540
4,140
720
5,760
Labor
2,688
16,128
672
5,376
Breeding
1,080
1,080
0
0
Other
Equipment
1,200
1,200
400
400
Total Cost
16,568
31,668
9,492
40,336
Veal Sales
9,360
56,160
9,360
74,880
Purchase
Calves
Net Income ($)
Profit Difference
24,492
34,544-24,492=
34,544
10,052
End Result
Quality Product