CATTLE RAISERS COMMUNITY
Another study shows that preconditioning can add
up to $61 per head to the value of heifers or $11.04 per hundredweight to the initial weaning weight.
3. Seasonal market payoff Preconditioning may provide an opportunity to sell
calves in a more favorable market. In many instances, either spring-born calves are weaned in October and sold at that point, or they are preconditioned to be marketed roughly 45 days later in November or De- cember. Seasonal price indicators show that it may be more profi table to wait for higher prices in November or December, but that it varies based on market scenarios. “Market prices for cattle can really fl uctuate, and it
is important to have a tab on the market value at any given time, in comparison to what you will be investing in a preconditioning program,” says Forcherio. “Cattle producers should always have a goal in place before starting a program.”
4. Management premium Despite the additional costs of vaccination and nu-
trition, research shows that conservatively, precondi- tioning may capture $50 to $75 per head of additional value. Whether you keep the set of calves on your operation for further development, or are looking to sell those calves to a stocker or feedlot operation, this added value can mean potential profi t in the form of healthier animals and the resulting premiums. When considering a preconditioning program, there
are several critical management elements to keep in mind. Make sure preconditioned calves are acquainted with feed bunks and water troughs. Fresh, clean wa- ter should be offered at all times. In addition, calves should be offered a high quality, balanced diet with the appropriate amount of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins. A variety of Purina® Animal Nutrition products are
available to help get preconditioned cattle off to a great start, including Accuration®, Precon® and Stress Care 5™ starters and supplements. These products are all part of the Purina Great Starts® calf feeding program, which allows the producer fl exibility to meet the needs of their operation, all with the same goal of enhanced performance and profi tability. For more information on preconditioning, visit www.
purinamills.com/cattle/.
32 The Cattleman October 2015
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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