Pasture Preconditioning Calves At A Higher Rate Of Gain Improves Feedlot Health But Not Post-Weaning Profit
09/10/2009 09:40AM
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Over 2 years, 132 steers were used to compare a low (RANGE CUBE) and high (SELF-FED PELLET) input pasture preconditioning method to evaluate performance and profit during the preconditioning and finishing phases. At weaning, steers were randomly assigned to RANGE CUBE or SELF-FED PELLET preconditioning treatments. Steers were fenceline-weaned for 7 days; then transported to their respective treatment pastures. The SELF-FED PELLET steers had ad libitum access to a self-fed corn/wheat midds-based pellet, and RANGE CUBE steers were supplemented with a 32% CP range cube delivered three times per week to average 1.25 lb per day.
At the end of preconditioning, SELF-FED PELLET steers were 42 pounds heavier, and had a $20/steer greater final value, but their preconditioning feed costs were $42/steer higher. During preconditioning, RANGE CUBE steers had a net income advantage of $20.54/head. Following preconditioning, steers were finished at a commercial feedlot. During finishing there were no differences in ADG, final body weight, or carcass characteristics. However, 16.7 percentage units more of the RANGE CUBE steers were treated for sickness during finishing (Figure 1), resulting in $6.63/steer greater medicine cost than SELFFED PELLET steers. Preconditioning method had no impact on finishing net income, or profit from weaning to harvest.
IMPLICATIONS
The cost of nutritional inputs to a preconditioning program has a substantial influence on profitability. Grazing calves on native rangelands at a higher rate of preconditioning gain can better prepare calves to remain healthy after shipping. However, increased feed input costs often required to achieve a higher rate of gain on pasture may not be cost-effective relative to a lower-cost approach if calves are sold after preconditioning, or retained through harvest.
Source: Clay Mathis, livestock specialist, New Mexico State University