Abstract

The viability of a number of bull beef production systems integrated with sheep, within summer dry and summer wet hill country environments were examined using a spreadsheet feed budget simulation model. A survey of commercial hill country farmers was also undertaken to identify on-farm problems and opportunities. The study demonstrated that bull beef systems can be profitably integrated with sheep on hill country, and that farming bulls for beef on hill country is likely to increase. Survey farmers had few problems with bull misbehaviour and had achieved liveweight gains similar to or higher than those used for modelling purposes throughout the year, although not consistently during the autumn and winter. These farmers could improve profitability by setting up a separate wintering area for bulls or integrating their grazing with ewe hoggets rather than older sheep.

KG, Geenty, CB Dyson, GH Scales, and C Ward

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 47, , 99-100, 1987