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THE ECONOMICS OF PRECONDITIONING FEEDER CALVES

Applied Research

J. Prevatt
EXTENSION SPECIALIST & PROFESSOR
ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM
AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Abstract

     Preconditioning is specifically defined as having calves weaned for 45-days, bunk broke, and receive a comprehensive health program. Research has well documented that by reducing the stress during the weaning phase feeder calves will have less sickness, death loss, a higher level of performance, and hang a higher quality carcass.  Thus, feeder calf buyers can pay higher prices for preconditioned feeders. Basic feeder calf preconditioning data were collected from a custom preconditioning yard in Alabama during 2012.  An electronic spreadsheet was developed to address the economics of preconditioning feeder calves.  The economic factors included in the spreadsheet were a) cost of the health program, b) feeder calf performance during the preconditioning period, c) feed and mineral input prices, d) yardage, e) death loss, f) shrink, and g) price margin between preconditioned (weaned) and non-preconditioned (un-weaned) feeder calves.  The cost of preconditioning and net return for preconditioned feeder calves was calculated by the spreadsheet.  The cost of preconditioning ranged from $113 to $153 per feeder calf.  The net returns ranged from -$39 to +$130 per feeder calf.  The average preconditioning cost was $133 per head and the average net return was +$44 per head. The most sensitive factors in the data set were feed prices, average daily gain, and price margin. 

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Walt Prevatt, Prevatt Chris, Hudson Rickey
  1. Prevatt, W. Extension Specialist & Professor, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 36849
  2. Chris, P. Regional Specialized Agent, UF Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Florida, 33865
  3. Rickey, H. Regional Extension Agent, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 36345