Banta got a few laughs when he
said the most common method of calf weaning in Texas is “the trailer ride to the sale barn,” but it’s no joke. Research shows previously weaned cattle are less stressed, stay healthier and perform better. He says that’s why the VAC 45 program has become the industry standard. “That program enhances the im-
mune system of those calves,” Banta says. “It gets them over that stressful weaning event while they’re still on the ranch where they can handle it better. We get that immune system up and running where it’s strong and more productive as we move forward. It gets them ready to go when they need to go. They get away from mom and learn they have to be on their own.”
Dan Hale says that in the 10- to 15- seconds a calf or group of calves is in the sale ring, buyers have to predict quickly how they will perform.
Genotype and phenotype are signifi cant, but calf health and management could be the most critical.
He adds that preconditioning is not just about wean-
ing and vaccinating, though. Sometimes you have to teach them a few things, too. For example, most calves west of I-35 have never
seen a water trough, taking all of their drinks from tanks, ponds and streams. In addition, many calves are startled by their fi rst feed box. “We’re teaching them how to get ready for the next
chapter,” Banta says. “VAC 45 creates a more predictable commodity, so it
reduces our risk from a health standpoint,” he explains. “We expect those cattle to perform better. They should be worth more money. It allows you to capture some genetic potential better. Because my calves can have the best marbling genetics in the world, but if I haven’t managed those calves right, they get sick. They are not going to grade like I want them to in the feedlot. The big point is that VAC 45 reduces the use of antibiotics.” While you may not get paid for doing the extra
work if you just drop those calves off at any auction market on any day, Banta says by fi nding a special sale for qualifying cattle, the premiums will be more than worth the effort.
In the feedlot When cattle arrive at the feedlot, Banta says they
will be processed immediately. Each animal gets an ear tag corresponding to their lot number. “They won’t necessarily put an individual tag
numbered 1 through 100. They’ll put Lot 678 for each of these 100 calves,” he says. Then if they treat 1 of them, there’ll be an additional ear tag that’s a specifi c number for that calf so they can follow the medical records on that calf.” During processing, the animals will also get vac-
cinated for respiratory disease and dewormed. Cattle will be fed hay and given unlimited water, and slowly transitioned from a forage-based diet to a grain-based diet. “We have to do that slowly when they arrive, or
we’ll have health problems,” Banta says. A veterinarian will walk through the receiving
pens to give them a visual check, and pen riders will continue to check the cattle 2 to 3 times per day throughout their time at the yard. A sick calf will be pulled and treated and then will
either return to its pen or be sent to a hospital pen for closer monitoring.
More Convention Coverage
tscra.org See more at
cattleraisersconvention.com June 2016 The Cattleman 83
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