Livestock

             Cattle Producers Should Give

 Careful  Consideration to Backgrounding Options

by John Dhuyvetter, North Central Research Center, Minot

As normal, a large number of calves will be marked over the next month straight off the cow as bawling feeder calves.  However with the decline in calf prices over the last month and from levels seen several years prior, there will be interest in investigating options of weaning and feeding for latter marketing at heavier weights.  Weaning, post weaning management and feeding strategies can vary considerably with the age and kind of calves, expectations for future markets and feed availability and costs.

A typical scenario is to wean spring born calves in later October and feed a grain supplemented forage based ration capable of modest gains (1.5-2.5 lbs) achieving 750-800 pound feeder weights for marketing after the first of the new year.  During this 90 to 120 back grounding period, calves will grow, adapt to pen feeding, overcome weaning stresses and can be well prepared for finishing feedlot placement.

This does relate however to feeder cattle that finish  in  the summer months being placed at then an expected lower finished cattle market associated with greater supplies.  As a consequence their values as heavy feeders at the time of sale in February/March often reflects a seasonal biases or discount from price for heavy feeders available earlier that may finish in March or April.

Using a simple breakeven calculator as the NDSU developed "Calf Web" (available on the internet at www.chaps2000.com) can help evaluate feeding risks and potential.  As an example a 550 pound steer weaned in late October would be marketed in late January at 750 lbs with an average gain of 2.0 pounds per day.  Assuming this will be achieved on a $70/ton ration at a 9 to 1 conversion; charging $.30 per day yardage; assuming: $10 per veterinary costs, 1.5% death loss and 7% interest on both the feed and the calf, a sale price of $92.5/cut would be needed to breakeven.  The resulting feed and yardage cost per pound of gain would be $.465 and total cost of gain $.63

For earlier born, and growthy type calves, a shorter 45 to 60 day preconditioning period targeting higher gains may achieve calves well prepared for the feedlot targeted to higher seasonal markets.  A 600 pound steer weaned in mid-October would reach 800 pounds in mid-December at an average gain of three pounds per day for 65 days.  A breakeven of $.885 and  a total cost of gain $.57/pound can be projected.  Achieving high gains in a relatively short period requires feeding management and use of higher quality feeds particularly in starting on feed and transitioning to fairly high nutrient intake.

Sometimes latter born smaller type calves are weaned late in the fall and grown slowly over winter utilizing supplemented forage, targeting feeders capable of going to summer grazing or being finished for fall markets.  When calves are left on the cow late in the fall, grazing and forage must be adequate in availability and digestibility to maintain cow condition and support continued calf growth.  A projection for 525 calves weaned in mid-November and wintered at 1.5 pounds/day gain on a $60/ton ration results in 725 pounds feeders at the end of March with an associated $.915 breakeven and a $.68/pound overall cost of gain.

Calf health considerations are critical whether marketing off the cow or weaning and feeding.  Market prices reflect value for vaccinated calves and feeding risks associated with sick calves, poor performance, and death loss to producers deciding to wean and feed can be lessened with calf management.  Preferably calves can be vaccinated prior to weaning while still on their moms and booster at or following weaning.  Having the herd on a mineral supplementation program and formulating rations to meet nutrient requirements enhances immune function.  Handling and pen maintenance to lessen calf stress and environmental challenges of cold, wet, and dusty  must be considered.  In situations of known stress use of antibiotics at weaning may be an option.

Additional information on weaning and feeding calves can be obtained from the NDSU Extension Service.  Assistance in analyzing feed, formulating rations, market outlook, and making feeding projections is available by contacting the Oliver county Extension office or Area Research Extension Center.