Processing the feeder calf for its entry into feedlots is already receiving considerable interest among cattlemen. Several states are programming sales of only processed calves in feeder cattle sales. This is an attempt to market feeder calves straight from the farm that are properly processed. The generally accepted term for the program is  preconditioning 

Herrick, John

English

Processing the feeder calf for its entry into feedlots is already receiving considerable interest among cattlemen. Several states are programming sales of only processed calves in feeder cattle sales. This is an attempt to market feeder calves straight from the farm that are properly processed. The generally accepted term for the program is "preconditioning".</p

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Preconditioningin CattleJohn Herrick, DVM, MS*Every year cattle feeders in the UnitedStates have millions of feeder calves andyearlings going into their feedlots. Feeder calfprocurement will be extremely importantduring the next few years in that with low feedgrain costs and tremendously increased valueof all cattle, cattle feeders will need toexercise great care in selecting feedersbecause feeders will be in short supply and thedemand will be greater.Processing the feeder calf for its entry intofeedlots is already receiving considerableinterest among cattlemen. Several states areprogramming sales of only processed calves infeeder cattle sales. This is an attempt tomarket feeder calves straight from the farmthat are properly processed. The generallyaccepted term for the program is "precon-ditioning. "The Veterinary Extension Serviceprogrammed a preconditioning program inIowa with the Iowa Veterinary MedicalAssociation and the Iowa Cattlemen'sAssociation which has been available for Iowacattlemen for the last ten years. Over 600,000calves are processed through this programa~nually. The program involves certifyingthat the calves have been weaned, vaccinated,treated for grubs, wormed and identified witha green tag. A certificate accompanies thecalf. Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio,Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota and NorthDakota also have programs underway.Cattlemen in many states are askingquestions pertaining to procedures involved inthe program. The program includes:*Dr. Herrick is a Professor in Veterinary ClinicalSciences, ISU and Head of Extension VeterinaryMedicine,ISU.30(a) Weaning- The most serious stress on acalf is weaning. It is recommended thatthe calves be weaned at least 30 days priorto sale. Weaning is the most importantpart of the program. A weaned calfstarted on feed adjusts to movement andadaptation to the feedlot with less shrinkand susceptibility to disease. Weaning ismore important than all of the otherrecommended procedures. A calf willshrink 3 to 5 percent when weaned butwill recoup that shrink in 10 to 15 days. Acalf properly fed and handled will gain 20to 60 pounds during the 30-day weaningperiod. Calves may be weaned at 5months of age particularly if pastures areshort and the mother cows are notmilking well. Leaving the calf on the cowuntil winter season is not always goodeconomy. Cow-calf producers are findingthat calves frequently sicken on the farmwhen weaned, so caution must beexercised in the method of weaning.(b) Vaccination-Calves vaccinated under 3months of age should be revaccinated atthe weaning period. Vaccination againstIBR, PI3 , Pasteurella, Hemophilussomnus, and the Clostridial group isrecommended. This can be done threeweeks prior to weaning or shortly afterweaning. The Pasteurella andHemophilus somnus vaccinations shouldbe repeated two to three weeks later.BVD is optional in most preconditioningprograms, although in some areas close to100 percent are vaccinated.(c) Worming and Grub Treatment-Allcalves should be wormed and grubbed.Grub treatment can start at differenttimes in different states depending uponthe heel fly season. Over 50 percent of allcalves are wormed. The economics ofIowa State Universz"ty Veterz·narzanThe ISU Veterinarian staff and faculty wouldlike to thank Blue Cross Serum Co. for theircontribution towards the production of thisThe ISU Veterz"narian staff and facultywould like to thank R. S. Fahlberg, AmericanCyanamid Co., for their generous contribu-tion towards the production of this issue.* * * * * *************issue.The ISU Veterinarian staff and faculty ex-tends apolgies to Fritz Buttgen and Dr. andMrs. A. K. Takayama for the mirror image oftheir painting on the cover of the last Issue(Issue No.3, 1978). Due to an error duringphoto duplication the painting was printedbackwards. The ISU Veterinarian deeplyregrets the error.\~Poi.Y"Il.,61I.CN ALso/ttl.. ,,~ I~~//.~Run- Ie., 0 uel- "Veterinarians have been extremely helpfulin the development of the preconditioningprogram in Iowa. Although the program isnot a regulatory program, exactness in thepreparation of the certificate is important inmaintaining the credibility of the program.One veterinary practice in Iowa preconditions15,000 to 20,000 calves annually.Preconditioning is an essential part of herdhealth programs for the beef herd.* * * * * *worming is rapidly being recognized byfeeders.(d) Castration and Dehorning- One of theevils of feeder calf procurement ispurchasing freshly castrated animals orthose recently dehorned. Calves can becastrated and implanted at one to twoweeks of age. There is an undocumentedopinion that a bull calf will weigh more atweaning than a steer, yet castrationfrequently produces 20 to 25 percentshrink. Calves castrated and implantedwill gain more than a bull calf. Freshlycastrated calves offered for sale are amark of poor cattle management. Im-planting is recommended for calvesnursing and/or going into the feedlot.Cow-calf producers and cattle feeders needto work together on such programs. The1~ -2 percent death loss and loss due tosickness can be corrected if properly processedcalves are available for the feeder. Processed,weaned calves usually gain enough to pay forthe trouble of weaning and other recom-mended measures with increases of 20 to 60pounds being obtained during the weaningperiod.Preconditioned calves have beendemanding $2.50 to $3.00 more per 100pounds than similar calves in the majority ofsales. Calves of poor quality, even ifpreconditioned, do not demand thispremium. Further, if the calves are of propergenetic background, the preconditioningperiod does not produce an "overdone" orexcessively "fat" calf, but merely moremuscle.With present feed and veterinary productprices, the cow-calf producer will invest from$5.00 to $7.00 for the processing and $15.00to $20.00 for feed during the 30-daypreparation period. When present prices offeeder calves and yearlings are evaluated, the20 to 60 pounds the calf will gain during thisperiod and the premium received more thanpays the cattleman for his efforts. Plus there'sthe value of the pride he has for his product.Regardless of whether it costs or pays, theimage of the cattleman is at stake. He shouldbe proud of his product, and feeders will payless for calves not prepared for their feedlots.In the long run, preconditioning will pay forthe entire cattle industry. Cow-calf men andfeeders must work together.Issue No.1, 1979 31

Preconditioning in Cattle

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Preconditioning in Cattle

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