THE VALUE OF PRECONDITIONING PROGRAMS IN BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Net returns to feeding were calculated for preconditioning. The added value to cattle feeders, without accounting for death loss, from purchasing preconiditioned calves over calves of unknown origin is $46.83/head and$49.54/head for the CPH and GT calves, respectively. As a result, a feedlot operator could pay $8.50/cwt and$9.00/cwt more per 550 pound CPH and GT feeder calves, respectively, and still maintain the same level of profit.Livestock Production/Industries,

THE VALUE OF PRECONDITIONING PROGRAMS IN BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Net returns to feeding were calculated for preconditioning. The added value to cattle feeders, without accounting for death loss, from purchasing preconiditioned calves over calves of unknown origin is $46.83/head and$49.54/head for the CPH and GT calves, respectively. As a result, a feedlot operator could pay $8.50/cwt and$9.00/cwt more per 550 pound CPH and GT feeder calves, respectively, and still maintain the same level of profit

A Principal-Agent Model for Evaluating the Economic Value of a Traceability System: A Case Study with Injection-site Lesion Control in Fed Cattle

Traceability can link the identity of cattle feeders with retail beef cuts. The economic problem for the packer implementing traceability is to choose the level of investment in traceability and the level of incentive payments to cattle feeders so that cattle feeders will avoid production actions that can damage retail beef cuts. A case study of injection-site lesions in cattle is the basis for technical parameters to numerically solve this principal-agent problem. Results show that cattle feeders will give injections in sites preferred by the packer even with low rates of successful tracking and minimal incentives. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.