Page 20 - MWC 2-2-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · February 2, 2023 · P20
TRACKING AND PREDICTING PROFITABILITY

WITH MFA HEALTH TRACK

By Brandi Buzzard Frobose, Director of Communications and Editor
The information age may make them more cost effi- collection of just
have come to an end in Silicon cient, improve sorting and as many data
Valley, however, it’s just get- feedlot performance and, ul- points. This
ting ramped up in the beef in- timately, improve the indus- abundance of
dustry. These days, one would try’s environmental impact.” data has led to
be hard-pressed to find a load A Worthwhile Investment some eye-open-
of feeder calves that don’t As with any value-added ing learnings
have a list of descriptors asso- program, interested produc- for John and
ciated with them: Vac 45, Ver- ers might be curious about the MFA Health
ified Natural Beef, GAP and the cost of enrollment and, Track team.
NHTC are just a few snippets most importantly, the return “Probably the
of information that provide on investment. Additional most important
buyers with a window to what production steps are almost thing our data
they’re bidding on, and pre- always more likely to be im- shows is that
diction as to how those cat- plemented if corresponding post-wean mor-
tle might perform once they premiums are forthcoming at bidity and mor- Mike John, director of MFA Health Track operations, has
make it to the feedyard. shipping. tality are affect- worked in the calf health field for more than two decades
MFA Health Track is one Health Track differs from ed more by the striving to help cow-calf producers and their profitability
goals.
such program that allows pro- other value-added programs, timing of vacci-
ducers to learn more about as there are no fees and ear nations and other processes age pull rate from 5% (when
the calves they’re introducing tags are provided to produc- than by which products are the first round is given at
into their backgrounding and ers at no charge. The program used,” said John. weaning) to 0.3%, which is a
finishing operations. The pro- has been well-accepted by “What we have discovered remarkable difference,” he il-
gram requires 45 days mini- producers, averaging 40,000 – and now seems to be com- lustrated.
mum weaned, two rounds of head per year and is fast-ap- mon knowledge – is that early That discovery is direct-
vaccinations, treatment for proaching 900,000 cumula- age vaccinations, castrations ly responsible for the devel-
external and internal para- tive enrollments. and processing all completed opment and acknowledge-
sites and have been fed spe- “The program is paid for at least two weeks prior to
cific MFA feed products to with the margin from the re- weaning can reduce the aver- continued on page 24
ensure the best possible im- quired [MFA] feed and animal
munity. Additionally, heifers health products, although we
must be guaranteed open and do encourage a veterinarian- 6 REG. RED ANGUS BULLS PROUD TO SEND 5 REG. RA
calves must be castrated, de- client - patient relationship. TO ARKANSAS BULL SALE
horned and healed. So, as long as we have access FALL BRED HEIFERS
Mike John, director of MFA to receipts, they can get the EXCEPTIONAL PEDIGREES!
Health Track Operations and animal health products from Selected for high carcass merit,
manager of John Ranch, Inc., their veterinarian,” clarified Birth wgt, marbling and ribeye. Look at them for calving ease, AI
has worked in the field of im- John. Sires include, Bieber CL
proving calf health for more When it comes to the pre- Stockmarket, LSF SRR Tyson, bred on 11/28/2022. Catalog to
than two decades. mium, Johns said they’re Statistician, LSF SRR Commander. have details for the March 25th
“The objective of Health usually higher on the lightest sale. Heber Springs, AR.
Track is to make sure our calves, as they have the most
cow-calf backgrounder own- compensatory gain to prof- Registered bulls and commercial bred heifers also available at private treaty.
ers can remain profitable as it upon, and 700-pound and
the industry utilizes advanc- heavier calves are assumed to
ing technology and demand have already had immuniza-
for properly conditioned tions.
calves increases.” “Premiums vary by the
According to John, Health
Track was modeled after the time of year and supply. I’ve
seen as high as $19 per hun-
Texas Ranch-to-Rail Program dredweight but it usually av-
and can help feedyard man- erages $5 to $8 per hundred-
agers struggling with health weight.”
to procure healthier cattle to John attested the Health
fill the supply chain and their Track benefits are not exclu- Call or visit!
pens. sive to only those producers Easy to find
“We’ve found that if they off Rt. 63 at
know how calves have been who can fill a truckload but Koshkonong, MO
that premiums are similar to
processed, implanted, etc. be- non-program calves above the
fore they leave the ranch of normal factors of draft size
origin, they can start moving and phenotype.
away from the average based
system their procurement Data Delivers Discoveries
protocols were based on,” ex- A significant benefit to en- wspreutels@centurytel.net
plained John. “That will also rolling 900,000 head is the Spreutels Farm Wilbur : 417-867-5695
Steve: 417-280-1551