What is Considered to be a Weaned Calf?
Research data show that a minimum of 45 days is required to maximize benefits from a weaned calf.
In the early 90's, Texas A & M finished a research program for preconditioning calves. From their research the Texas Value Added program was developed under the trade name TexVac 45. In addition to 45 days eaned time recommended nutrition and preventative vaccination protocol were defined. This program has become the gold standard for the industry.
While buyers prefer such a comprehensive program, the most important issue is for a calf to be weaned at least 45 days.
To quote the owner of a large order buying and preconditioning company: "We want a calf that is weaned 45 minutes or 45 days". The premise is that anything less than 45 days, the calf is at some point of "breaking" aka getting sick. It is more effective to avoid illness than to cure it.
As for desired vaccinations, the calf/yearling buyers are most concerned about respiratory disease so a protocol for IBR, PI3, BRSV and Pasteurella is recommended.
We have many consignors to tell us that their calves have had all the shots and are weaned. Most of the time that translates to a blackleg shot and 2 weeks weaned - a little short of the target.
Another factor in maximizing return on investment of preconditioning calves is quantity. Quantity equates to visibility. Most of our consignments are 2-5 head so it is hard for a buyer to put together a load of preconditioned calves. To provide an opportunity for our consignors to benefit more from their extra effort we have designated the 1st sale of each month to feature weaned calves. To merchandise your calves better we ask you to bring them in on the Saturday prior to the 1st Monday sale so we can sort them, compile an information handout for the buyers and give the calves time to regain shrinkage from being hauled to town. We start the yearling portion of the sale with the weaned calves so the buyers have an opportunity to put together larger groups of conditioned cattle. This is really the only feasible way to insure the opportunity for premiums on your conditioned calves if you consign less than a truck load lot. Otherwise there may be 4 or 5 head intermixed with 100-200 calves and they become as one of many.
The results of the weaned calf sales have been encouraging. Many buyers who retain ownership through the feedlots have found that there is added value on preconditioned calves and will pay a premium for them. Order buyers have fewer complaints from their customers about sickness and will be more aggressive in bidding on preconditioned calves. We see premiums paid for conditioned calves as compared to unweaned calves of equal quality.
One caution as you precondition your calves - Maintain a nutrition program that will promote growth without excess fat. Fat, juicy calves will be discounted, ie the feedlot will not pay a $1 per pound when they can put weight on for $.50 per pound.
The cost of gain will be a challenge with high cost of hay and grain. The relative cost of weaned your calves and following a recommended vaccination program in concert with merchandising them should provide a better return on your investment, ie, it costs the same to feed calves that will be discounted as it does to feed calves that can sell for a premium.
In order to maximize the benefits of your weaning and preconditioning your calves, we will designate a portion of the first sale of each month to feature weaned calves.