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Preconditioning for flexibility, healthBy Lee Bob Harper DVM, Pfizer Animal Health To buy preconditioned or not to buy preconditioned? That is the question, but unfortunately the answer is less than absolute. For stockers and feedlot managers, buying preconditioned calves isn't a one-size-fits-all procedure. Nor does it always lend itself to greater profit. While buying preconditioned calves for a premium price helps ensure the calves will be healthier, operators may choose to go a different route by buying non-preconditioned calves at a lower price and enhancing their profitability through management interventions in the realm of animal health and nutrition. So, the decision to buy preconditioned calves isn't always about money. Oftentimes the decision to purchase preconditioned cattle comes down to convenience and personal preference. Also, if your labor force can't handle making the rounds for at-risk or sick cattle, then buying low-risk, preconditioned calves can be an effective tool. It boils down to your business, your operational model and your needs. A certified, 45-day preconditioning program can keep your cattle more than four times healthier than non-preconditioned calves. Healthy calves are a relief to your workforce, and your time and money can be used elsewhere. Overall production costs (not including the procurement price for a preconditioned calf, which is usually higher than the price for a non-preconditioned calf), go down for healthy cattle, as well, since they require more than $6 less per head. Data from a commercial feedlot study, conducted by Cow-Calf Research and Consulting, LLC in 2003-04, tracked calves of unknown health origins and unweaned versus calves enrolled in a 45-day preconditioning program. The study showed that calves on a 45-day preconditioning program were 6.5 times less likely to exhibit signs of respiratory disease within 28 days of feedlot arrival as the unweaned, unvaccinated calves. And within 85 days of feedlot arrival, the preconditioned calves were 4.42 times less likely to exhibit signs of respiratory disease as the unweaned, unvaccinated calves. In addition, the preconditioned calves were less likely to receive multiple treatments for respiratory disease during the entire feeding period as the unweaned, unvaccinated calves. The above data details how buying preconditioned calves can save your operation time, labor and medical costs. Health-verified calves may cost more at the auction block, but if you want calves that are low-maintenance, buying preconditioned calves is a smart path to take. But there is also much economic potential for feedyards buying preconditioned calves. A Nov. 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported, "Beef calves that remain healthy in a feedlot have higher net returns, compared with returns for beef calves that are treated because of disease, primarily BRD." The decision to buy preconditioned calves comes down to your operational needs and wants. If you don't want to buy preconditioned, there are business and operational models to make that work. But if you want preconditioned calves--thus saving you time, energy and labor--there are business and operational models to help you succeed in that direction, too. Date: 8/16/07
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