Pastured Veal Using Milk Replacer -versus- Brood 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 138 calves total sent to slaughter $16,128 of labor Milk Replacer 8 groups of calves over 2 years 192 calves total sent to slaughter $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 ($)$ Feed2,1604,320 Purchase Cows4,800 Purchase Calves5404,140 Labor2,68816,128 Breeding1,080 Other Equipment1,200 Total Cost16,56831,668 Veal Sales9,36056,160 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) Costs ($) Feed3,60028,800 Purchase CowsNA Purchase Calves7205,760 Labor6725,376 Breeding00 Other Equipment400 Total Cost9,49240,336 Veal Sales9,36074,880 Net Income ($)34,544

Mobile Milk Feeder -Feeder allows for many calves to feed at one time -Less labor intensive -Easier then a bottle Photos from

Partial Budget 1 group calves w/ Brood Cows 2 yr Projection (6 groups) 1 group calves w/ Milk Replacer 2 yr Projection (8 groups) Costs ($)$ Feed2,1604,3203,60028,800 Purchase Cows4,800 NA Purchase Calves5404, ,760 Labor2,68816, ,376 Breeding1, Other Equipment1, Total Cost16,56831,6689,49240,336 Veal Sales9,36056,1609,36074,880 Net Income ($)24,49234,544 Profit Difference34,544-24,492=10,052

End Result Quality Product