Livestock specialist points to controlling costs in preconditioning program
Utilizing forage, reducing shrink at weaning time are key

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Ryan Reuter addresses the NETBIO members. He is a livestock specialist from the Noble Foundation. -Staff photo by Lori Cope

Nov. 4, 2004 - Beef producers gathered at the annual Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) membership meeting heard a comparison of preconditioning versus traditional weaning.

Ryan Reuter, a Noble Foundation livestock specialist, compared the traditional weaning method of taking the calf off the dam and taking it straight to the sale barn to the weaning method that involves putting the calf through a 45-day program of feed and vaccinations.

"Preconditioning is not a new idea," Reuter said. "It actually started in the 1960s in Iowa. But it's been slow to catch on with producers ... (and) buyers are unsure of the process and the benefits (of the program) for them."

NETBIO records show the preconditioning program has caught on with the region's producers and buyers. The first year (November 1998 to November 1999) of the NETBIO special feeder calf sales shows a total of 6,553 head were sold. Already, consignments for the Nov. 17, 2004, NETBIO sale are over 6,700 head.

A steady increase in the number of head sold through the sales is also noted by NETBIO records, indicating more involvement by the region's producers, and buyers. After the November sale in 2000, a total of 8,296 head had sold that year through the NETBIO event. For 2001, the total for the year was 13,438 head. The number of head sold for 2002 rose to 14,488. The biggest NETBIO sale, which sold 7,031 preconditioned calves (November 2003), brought the number of head sold in 2003 to 20,681. After the Nov. 17 sale this year, it is expected 2004 will end with over 25,000 head.

Reuter, whose graduate research focused on forage utilization by stocker cattle, related the biggest expense of a preconditioning program is feed cost. "Feed is the biggest expense but it is the most controllable," he said.

The specialist presented various options that each ended in how much of the producer's profit would be available for feed. He also noted the amount of premium received for the preconditioned calf affects profits. NETBIO records show significant premium for the calves sold through their sales.

One aspect of Reuter's presentation showed producers could gain $65.18 per head through preconditioning, but that was without the cost of feed. Cost for the 45 days of preconditioning would be about $65 a head using commercial feed.

But controlling feed costs, such as using byproducts like wheat mids and barley, can significantly decrease expense. Reuter cautioned that often byproducts' quality varies since it is basically waste feed. "If you are a good cattle manager, then this is a good choice," he said.

Utilizing forage is one of the best ways to reduce feed costs. "This is basically the easiest because the animals harvest it themselves .... A lost of times this is the cheapest source of nutrients. If you are a good forage manager, this is the best choice," Reuter said.

It's essential, though, that the forage (grazing or haying) is of good quality. "Low to moderate, especially low, quality is nearly worthless in this (preconditioning) program. ... Even if it's free, it's worthless."

When considering hay, Reuter urged producers to have it tested to "make sure the quality will support the gains you want."

The specialist also pointed to controlling shrinkage. Studies show most calves shrink, or lose, 7 percent of their body weight due to the stress of weaning. Reducing that shrink to 3 percent has benefits to the profit side of a preconditioning program. One way to reduce shrink is to utilize fenceline weaning.

"Weaning is most stressful the first few days of separation for the calf and the cow, and many times, the people involved," Reuter said. "Fenceline weaning is a nice tool to cut down on stress."

Reuter outlined the process: First, put the pairs into a pasture so the calves learn where the water and feed bunks are located. After a few days, pen the pairs at mid-morning (to allow time for a final nursing) and let them stand for about an hour to allow for calming. Then, sort cows by letting them out into a neighboring pasture. Next, open the gate for the penned calves to return to the pasture they came from. "Then, leave them alone. Don't check on them every hour or two. They'll be fine."

It's important to have good fences and gates, and that the calves be in an interior-fenced pasture. Reuter also noted "problem calves" or "fence jumpers" should be penned throughout the preconditioning process. "But this is probably less than 1 percent" of the calf herd.

The final step of the fenceline weaning program is to move the cows to another pasture after about three days.