Dennis Mitchell runs 150 Simmental cows at Thursford, near Fakenham in Norfolk. The herd is run on totally commercial lines, and Dennis has a good reputation well beyond Norfolk for his stockmanship.

Dennis Mitchell

“ I have always bought stock bulls that show good depth of muscling,” explains Dennis. “ I find it is particularly important to see the muscling over and behind the shoulder. This is a clear sign of a natural, easily fleshed bull. Just as importantly, this should not create any concerns about calving as I always calve heifers to a Simmental bull when they are 2 1/2 years old. Muscling is laid down later in an animal’s life, as a result it will not have any impact at the time of calving.

“ Caldwell Goldbar, a son of Carnkern Brigadier, has been a recent stocksire to make an impact within the herd, and careful selection followed by a willingness to pay a good price has been the policy used to get the best results here,” continues Dennis.

SPLIT CALVING PATTERN
The herd is calved in two equal sized blocks; the spring portion between January and March, while the autumn batch are between September and November.

Open yards produce hardy cattle that are in great demand

Traditionally the male calves have been taken through on a bull-beef system to finish at 11 to 12 months old. After weaning these cattle receive an ad-lib ration of malt nuts, sugar beet pulp, rolled barley and beef protein concentrate, all of which is made up to a 14% protein mixture which has been costing £95/tonne this year.

For the first time the autumn 2002 male calves have been steered and will be sold on as stores early in the spring. Dennis Mitchell is confident of a strong trade for these animals, especially as prospective purchasers have enquired about the steers at an early stage.

In particular, he believes that his winter housing with access to open yards will leave cattle with thick winter coats and the potential to grow on rapidly when they are turned to grazing in late April.

Heifer progeny that do not go for breeding are sold to a local butcher at 18 months old when they produce carcases in the 320 to 350kgs range.

In the past, 100 or more store cattle have been bought-in to finish, but a reorganisation of the family arable and cattle enterprises means that Dennis will be concentrating on running the suckler herd, predominantly on permanent river meadows.

“ I will continue to watch government policies around subsidies, and make sure that I get the maximum extensification funds,” concludes Dennis Mitchell. “ However, the Simmental suckler herd will remain the cornerstone of the cattle enterprise as we have access to arable by-products as well as grain and grass in this region.”

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