Farmbench for better margins: What set the top 25% of suckler herds apart in 2023-24?

Farmbench data for the 2023-24 season reveals a clear divide in performance and profitability among suckler herds. We explore the differences between suckler herd performance and what drives success at the top.

Key points

• The top 25% of herds (ranked on net margin) achieved a full economic net margin of £158.63 per cow put to the bull, while the middle 50% and bottom 25% recorded losses of £238.98 and £960.54 respectively.
• Since 2020-21, only the top 25% of suckler herds have achieved profit
• Top performers maintained lower variable and overhead costs
• Higher weaning weights and market values boosted income for the top 25%
• The top 25% housed cattle for fewer weeks, fed less forage, and used more non-forage feed than the middle 50%, and bottom 25%

What is Farmbench?

Each year AHDB supports farmers to record their business performance through our online tool, Farmbench. Farmers can measure current performance and identify areas to build on by comparing to our national figures, while helping AHDB to better understand and support the beef and lamb industry.

The most recent national benchmarks for livestock production have been released on our cost of production page. These are available for farmers to start benchmarking their own business either individually or with the help of our Regional Farmbench Managers.

Suckler cost comparisons

The top 25% of herds demonstrate both lower variable and overhead costs compared to other groups. They also tend to have significantly larger herd sizes, averaging 126 cows, compared to 60 in the middle 50% and just 29 in the bottom 25%. This suggests that economies of scale play a key role in controlling costs.  

Cost of production and income across top, middle and bottom performing suckler herds

Source: AHDB

Physical performance

Key performance indicators highlight that the top 25% of herds achieve stronger daily live weight gains and higher weaning weights. When combined with higher values per kilogram of live weight at weaning, this leads to significantly greater total income per cow put to the bull. Interestingly, while the number of calves weaned per 100 cows isn’t the highest in this group (the middle 50% leads here), it remains comparable to the average, indicating that income gains are driven more by weight and value than by number of calves on the ground.

Feeding

Feeding practices further differentiate the top performers. These herds house their cattle for fewer weeks and feed 37% less harvested forage than the bottom 25%, and 31% less than the middle 50%. Instead, they rely more heavily on non-forage feeds, averaging 252 kg fresh weight per cow- substantially more than the 180.75 kg in the middle 50% and 109.5 kg in the bottom 25%.

Harvested forage & non-forage feed usage across top, middle and bottom performing suckler herds

Source: AHDB

Creep feeding is another area of variation. While the bottom 25% do not use creep feed at all, those in the top 25% who do use creep use 1.3 times more than the middle 50%, suggesting a targeted approach to boosting calf growth and weaning weights.

Fertiliser use

Fertiliser use also varies; the top 25% apply 28 kg of nitrogen per hectare- more than double the 11-12 kg used by the lower-performing groups. This investment appears to pay off: weights produced per forage hectare were significantly higher, with the top 25% achieving 205 kg compared to 142 kg in the middle 50% and just 75 kg in the bottom 25%.

Conclusion

With only the top 25% of herds consistently turning a profit, it is essential to measure and look for ways to improve performance across all areas of the business. Top-performing herds consistently achieve better livestock performance and lower costs, demonstrating that marginal gains across multiple areas can make a significant difference. Farmbench can allow you to measure the performance of your farm, compare it to national benchmarks, and identify areas for improvement that could help you become a top performer!

The Farmbench tool is fully supported by AHDB through by our Regional Farmbench Managers who can assist you in comparing your farm to the national dataset. Get in touch today to arrange a visit.

Our 2023-24 figures are soon to be published on our cost of production webpages. Visit these to start comparing. 

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