Contract Rearing of Beef Animals (The challenge: Access to Market, Ireland)
There has an increase in the use of contract arrangements for the rearing of young stock on farms in recent years. Contract heifer rearing where a drystock farmer rears replacement dairy heifers on behalf of a dairy farmer has been in use for a number of years.
The contract rearing of calves and weanlings has become more popular in recent years.
Contract rearing of young stock can be beneficial to both the dairy farmer and the contract rearer. From the dairy farmer’s perspective there is less labour required on the farm especially during the calving and breeding seasons allowing them to concentrate on the newly born calves and the main cow herd. It also reduces the demand on calf housing facilities and on pasture.
The contract rearers benefit from the provision of stock at no initial expense and having a consistent agreed income for the duration of the rearing period. The rearer is not affected by market changes, making it an attractive system for those currently involved in beef rearing and subject to volatile prices.
It is an appealing proposition for new entrants as they do not need to have the funding in place to purchase stock upon entering farming.
In response to the increased interest in contract rearing arrangement Teagasc and partners have developed two specimen agreements;
Contract Calf Rearing Agreement
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2021/Contract-Calf-Re…
Contract Calf and Weanling Rearing Agreement
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2021/Contract-Calf-an…
These templates and further information are available at;
https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/collaborative-farm…
NEWBIE New Entrant netWork: Business models for Innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience in
European agriculture (2 of 2)
Ongoing | 2018-2021
European agriculture (2 of 2)
- Main funding source
- Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Netherlands