Building the Preconditioning Program
By Jaclyn Krymowski for American Cattlemen
There’s no shortage of opinions on preconditioning. And while it does not require excessive labor when done correctly, its economic trade-offs remain a point of debate. When a preconditioning program does make financial sense, make sure you have a plan that will maximize returns.
“Effective preconditioning programs increase the value of weaned calves by promoting calf growth, enhancing immune system function, and minimizing calf stress,” writes Jane A. Parish, Ph.D., professor and interim head of the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, along with colleagues in the Mississippi State University bulletin Beef Calf Preconditioning Programs.
Preconditioning focuses on strengthening calf immunity, ensuring proper nutrition, and reducing the effects of stressful events. Even if the markup is not tremendous, the effort to market healthy, well-managed calves enhances a producer’s reputation long-term and can contribute to improved herd profitability.
What makes good preconditioning
The best preconditioning programs take effect as soon as a calf hits the ground. In optimal circumstances this includes ensuring adequate colostrum intake, processing (according to your operation’s distinct protocols) and recording birth weight.
Formal preconditioning typically occurs between six to eight months of age. Protocol should include a number of key elements but can be customized.
Weaning
Calves should be fully weaned at least 45 days before sale to reduce stress, optimize rumen functionality and develop immunity.
Bunk training
Teaching calves to eat from a feed bunk and drink from a water trough ensures a smooth transition to the next production phase.
Castration and dehorning
Bull calves should be castrated. Horned cattle should be dehorned or have their horns tipped back to the hairline and given sufficient time to heal before they are sold.
Deworming
The need for deworming may depend on when you are calving, age of sale and best practices of your region. Internal and external parasite treatments help maintain growth and overall health.
Vaccinations
This protocol probably has the most variance from operation to operation. The Oklahoma State University bulletin, Calf Preconditioning: A Comprehensive Overview, recommends, at the bare minimum, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVD) type 1 and type 2, parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI3), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). Other vaccines that may be region dependent include clostridial diseases such as blackleg, tetanus, enterotoxemia; mannheimia haemolytica and pasteurella multocida; leptospirosis; brucellosis; and anthrax.
The weaning process
Weaning is a process. Having calves that have fully completed it and transitioned into their adult diets is a boon to many buyers. As a rule of thumb, at least 45 full days after successful weaning are recommended before a sale. However, some preconditioning programs may have different metrics.
Calves that are fully weaned and beyond the initial stresses are better able to withstand the challenges of transportation and transition to feedlots. Research has shown that preconditioned calves experience lower rates of illness, leading to reduced veterinary expenses and labor costs associated with treatment.
Part of the transition when calves are weaned also includes getting them acclimated to the next “pen stage” such as eating forage out of a bunk and drinking water out of a trough.
“During weaning, calves must transition from a milk diet to forage- and concentrate-based diets,” writes Parish. “Calves that have used feeding bunks and water troughs before weaning may go on feed faster after weaning. Some calves leave the ranch having never seen a feed bunk or water trough.”
Likewise there are various ways to train or incorporate these aspects to get the calves ready for the next step.
One example is to provide an adequate bunk space for both cows and calves to eat at the same time or use a creep feeding technique. Providing a chance for calves to become familiar prior to the actual weaning day can better set them up for success.
Evaluating success
Determining whether a preconditioning program is right for your operation starts with understanding its economic impact. This evaluation should be revisited annually, as both market conditions and your operation’s circumstances can change.
Start by estimating all expected costs and potential returns on investment, factoring in the specific production characteristics of your herd. Be sure to account for direct costs like feed, veterinary care, and labor, as well as indirect expenses such as equipment, operating costs, and opportunity costs.
“To be profitable, producers must keep cost of gain to a reasonable level while providing a nutritional program that produces acceptable weight gains,” writes Parish.
Preconditioning costs can vary significantly based on location, particularly due to feed availability and pricing. Other regional factors, such as transportation and infrastructure, may also influence itemized expenses in your budget.
Since calf weight gain plays a major role in profitability, selecting the right nutritional approach is key. Parish emphasizes the importance of a feeding strategy that supports the desired rate of gain while also achieving target delivery weights, optimizing cattle condition, minimizing disease risks, and making efficient use of labor and equipment.
In some markets, preconditioned calves may even qualify for premiums, giving an edge to producers who have invested in calf care and health.
When it pencils in, preconditioning is an easy win-win for producers and buyers. Calf health and welfare from day one through weaning and the transition to feed has been demonstrably proven to enhance performance in finishing phases, and thus, it ultimately contributes to greater carcass quality and yield.
