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The Midwest Cattleman · October 1, 2020 · P20
Add Value to Your Calves
This Fall
By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing
Cow-calf producers can add paying additional premiums
LACY IRON MIKE 055G | RAAA: 4237510
LACY IRON MIKE 005E x LACY LAKOTA 7097 482 significant value to calves for calves weaned 60 days or
prior to sale. A careful look longer. Part of the weaning
at the auction reports reveals process should include train-
the value of calf production ing calves to seek feed and eat
and marketing practices. from bunks.
Hopefully bull calves were It is recommended that
castrated at branding time or calves receive two rounds of
earlier but, if not, castration respiratory and Clostridial
should be done in plenty of vaccines. Calves vaccinated
time for steers to fully heal at branding should receive
prior to sale. a second round at weaning.
The most recent Oklaho- Otherwise, vaccinations can
ma combined auction report be done at least two weeks
shows that the average dis- prior to weaning and again
LACY KARGO 073G | RAAA: 4237544
RED RINGSTEAD KARGO 215U x LACY LAKOTA 8105 count for bulls weighing 450- at weaning; or at weaning
550 pounds was $62/head. and at least two weeks after
The same applies to dehorn- weaning. Producers are en-
ing if needed. A research couraged to become certified
study from 2012 showed that in Beef Quality Assurance
horned cattle received a dis- (BQA) standards and to fol-
count of $3.15/cwt. The dis- low BQA practices for precon-
count is likely higher in cur- ditioning calves.
rent markets. Preconditioned calves will
Weaned calves bring sig- have the most value if calves
nificant premiums over un- are enrolled in a certified pro-
weaned calves. The recent gram and marketed in special
auction data shows that value-added sales. Buyers
weaned steers weighing 450- pay more consistent premi-
LACY LEGACY 417 063G | RAAA: 4237524 550 pounds brought an av- ums when sufficient numbers
LACY LEGACY 6097 417 x LACY MARIE 8190
erage of $49/head more than of similarly managed animals
steers marked as unweaned. are available at sales.
Unweaned heifer calves were Having invested in precon-
discounted an average of $35/ ditioning, cow-calf producers
head. have the best opportunity to
Weaning at least 45 days capture added value for pre-
is the most common proto- conditioned calves by market-
col for preconditioning pro- ing calves at advertised sales
grams and is considered a that ensure interested buyers
minimum in today’s markets. are in attendance. Research
In the past couple of years,
buyers have been observed continued on page 21
