EASY KEEP, VERSATILE SIMMENTALS LEAVING MORE MONEY FOR CUMBRIAN DAIRY FARM

By using a Simmental bull on their dairy herd to produce strong, sellable store cattle, the Ladds family at Benson Hall Farm, Kendal, Cumbria have developed a low input, high output system that works well within their busy farming enterprise.
“We have tried a few different beef breeds over the years and thought we’d try something a bit different. We wanted frame and carcase, but also something that would be cheaper to feed and calving ease was a major priority. The Simmental calves hit the ground running and are easier and cheaper to rear than other beef breeds we’ve tried. Costs obviously vary, but we think we’re around £200-£300 per calf better off, with the Simmentals,” says Richard Ladds.

See the full Ladds family feature, just one of a number of commercial and pedigree herd profiles, in this year’s Simmental Review which is out today!