The British Simmental Review 2022

looking for a quick return
by maximising output from a
“We’re
very simple, minimum input,
self- sufficient livestock system that has to fit
in with the arable operations, which had been
managed by just the two of us until Charlie
decided to come home a couple of years
ago,” Tom explains. “And we’ve found that our
Simmentals are delivering.
“We’ve been grading up our commercial
sucklers - they’ve virtually reached purebred
status, and together with their calves, they’re
thriving on pure forage diets.
“The herd grazes our 50ha of river meadows,
which are in Countryside Stewardship,
from April turn out until December when
outwintering is extended. The herd is
introduced to strip graze 13ha stubble turnips
and brassicas prior to housing at the end
of the month. Once housed, they’re fed
silage until after calving in January when we
introduce them to homegrown rolled oats to
give milk a boost.
“The same applies to the calves; they
graze with their dams until weaned
in November, when they’re housed
and introduced to least cost
silage, ad lib homegrown oats and molasses
prior to trading in the store ring to repeat
buyers - steers averaging 12 months around
400kg, and 16 to 20-month-old heifers, an
average 450kg, apart from those retained for
replacement purposes.”
Adam continues: “We’re scheduling these
heifers to calve at 24 months and an average
650kgs - it’s a more cost-effective weight and
contributes to a smaller, more efficient cow.
Going forward we’re targeting the graded-up
Simmental herd to reach 700kg maximum
mature cow weight; we don’t want big 800kg
cows, they eat more, take up more space and
require more bedding, and they don’t wean a
bigger calf.
“The vast majority of cows and heifers calve
within the first six weeks and rearing rate
percentage is in the high 90s. We make a point
of being around during calving, however I can
count on one hand how many we’ve assisted.
Calves are lively and soon up and sucking.
Simmentals are noted for their milk, and our
cows know how to look after their calves.”
The Beatys have been running a Simmental
bull with their sucklers for the last 11 years
prior to which they had introduced a
FARM FACTS
The Dairy
Farm, Meriden,
Coventry
• 285ha mixed, tenanted
all within ELS/HLS
• 365ha mixed, contract
farmed
• 85 suckler cows,
grading up to purebred
Simmental status
• 350 ewes
Herd KPIs
• 24 months age at first
calving
• 700kgs target max
mature cow weight
• 95% calving within the
first six weeks
• 95% calves reared
• 14 - 16-year lifespan
The Review 2022 | 19