Page 7 - MWC 10-26-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · October 26, 2023 · P7
Preconditioning Calves: Is It the Right Choice?

By Madison Kovarna - SDSU Extension
Fall weather is here, and it can be utilized within these
brings the start of weaning for diets. Have a conversation with
many producers. Weaning is a a local livestock nutritionist
stressful time, not only for the or your area’s extension agent
producers, but also for calves. about developing the proper
Many changes occur in these diets for preconditioning calves
young animals’ lives. They are that best fit your operation’s
separated from mom and the needs.
supply of milk they have grown
accustomed to, and they are
often moved to an unfamil- continued on page 14
iar location. There are ways to
make weaning a less stressful
time for all involved. There are
low stress weaning methods,
such as fence line and two-step
weaning.
Preconditioning involves
weaning calves at least 45 days
in preparation to enter the
stocker phase or directly into
the feedlot. During this time,
calves are started on dry feed
or “bunk broke.” Additional-
ly, this time allows a producer
to build the health status of
calves through vaccinations,
deworming and getting them
over the stressful time of wean-
ing without adding additional
stressors, such as co-mingling
or transport. Preconditioning is
an option for producers looking
to retain ownership or to sell
their calves.

Nutrition During
Preconditioning
A target average daily gain
of 2 to 2.5 pounds per day
should be the focus to prepare
these calves for the feed yard.
To achieve this goal, a variety
of feeds can be fed to calves at
the beginning of the precondi-
tioning phase.
The combination will vary
greatly depending on the ranch
feeding these calves. It is im-
portant to provide good-qual-
ity feed that is palatable and
nutrient dense. Calves will
have reduced intakes following
weaning; thus, the diet needs
to provide enough energy and
protein, even when consumed
at lower amounts. High palat-
ability will encourage calves
to eat. Intake will begin to in-
crease as calves adjust to the
new environment.
A balance between rough-
age, such as grass hay, and eas-
ily fermented feeds, like corn,
needs to be achieved to prevent
incidences of acidosis and other
digestive issues that can impact
calf performance. Ionophores