Contracts should include provisions to cope with extreme weather.
The issue of contract dairy heifer rearing is always topical as some farmers don't fancy trusting someone else with their heifers. But for those who decide on outsource rearing, the benefits are many.
In a high-payout year, as at present, contract rearing can easily deliver a return.
However, if the
payout were only $6kg/MS, would it be worthwhile?
Contract rearing allows you to divert labour. This extra labour could be used for checking cows during the breeding season and every extra cow your employees detect during the first three weeks of breeding is $200 more in your pocket the following season.
Having extra time during calving to spend on managing the cows and grass would be welcomed by any farmer. This would yield a better-performing spring, too, as there would be more time to complete jobs. There is another benefit in paying someone to hit target weights on your heifers: heifers can calve down at the right weight, getting back in calf sooner.
