preston39
Well-known member
Stocker Cattle Forum: Nevil Speer - Why Buy Preconditioned Calves?
Why purchase preconditioned calves? Namely, preconditioning programs strategize to address both sides of morbidity: they are designed to reduce the incidence of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) by increasing resistance while simultaneously reducing stress prior to and after shipment.
The clearest industry-wide documentation of BRD's negative impact relative to feedyard closeouts stems from the Texas A&M Ranch to Rail program; a marked difference in economic return exists among cattle which remained "healthy" throughout the feeding period compared to those classified as "sick". Cattle treated at least once possess higher production costs and poorer feedlot performance. Furthermore, treated animals produced carcasses with lower marbling scores and subsequent USDA quality grades. Over the course of nine years for which data is available, calves remaining "healthy" throughout the feeding period returned nearly $100/head more than those categorized in the "sick" category.
However, the indirect benefits derived from purchasing cattle from certified programs may prove even more important. Preconditioned calves generally require less management.
That benefit begins immediately upon arrival as calves which have preconditioned have reduced need for startup rations and subsequent oversight early in the feeding period. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, payback comes from an employee standpoint: preconditioned calves provide pen riders some buffer in terms of pulling calves in the midst of the fall run. That advantage greatly enhances overall business efficiency while also boosting employee morale: nothing is more frustrating, thankless, and seemingly futile than the incessant need to treat difficult loads.
Stocker Cattle Network: Vetlife & Elanco Animal
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Are pre-coditioned animals selling higher in your area...by how much?
Why purchase preconditioned calves? Namely, preconditioning programs strategize to address both sides of morbidity: they are designed to reduce the incidence of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) by increasing resistance while simultaneously reducing stress prior to and after shipment.
The clearest industry-wide documentation of BRD's negative impact relative to feedyard closeouts stems from the Texas A&M Ranch to Rail program; a marked difference in economic return exists among cattle which remained "healthy" throughout the feeding period compared to those classified as "sick". Cattle treated at least once possess higher production costs and poorer feedlot performance. Furthermore, treated animals produced carcasses with lower marbling scores and subsequent USDA quality grades. Over the course of nine years for which data is available, calves remaining "healthy" throughout the feeding period returned nearly $100/head more than those categorized in the "sick" category.
However, the indirect benefits derived from purchasing cattle from certified programs may prove even more important. Preconditioned calves generally require less management.
That benefit begins immediately upon arrival as calves which have preconditioned have reduced need for startup rations and subsequent oversight early in the feeding period. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, payback comes from an employee standpoint: preconditioned calves provide pen riders some buffer in terms of pulling calves in the midst of the fall run. That advantage greatly enhances overall business efficiency while also boosting employee morale: nothing is more frustrating, thankless, and seemingly futile than the incessant need to treat difficult loads.
Stocker Cattle Network: Vetlife & Elanco Animal
=======
Are pre-coditioned animals selling higher in your area...by how much?
