SUPPLY
CATTLE TALK
Weaning is investment
Effective program adds dollars to sale price
F
By Bunge Halla
or the first time in a very long time, we as cowcalf producers have a real chance in realizing
financial gains from our cow herd. Although
input costs have increased significantly over
time, the price of calves has dramatically increased in
the past few years. It is not uncommon today to sell
600 lb. calves for more than $1,150/head. In addition,
realistically, 800 lb. weaned calves sell for more than
$1,450/head. Now, with all this occurring, as a producer
we need to do everything possible to make sure at sale
time that we have the calf crop as healthy and heavy as
possible. The added weight to the calf crop will allow us
to capture maximum dollars. For the remainder of the
article, we will discover a few things that can potentially
increase our profits in a big way.
Now, let’s take a look at the effects of creep feeding.
There are several benefits to a sound creep feeding
program. The most obvious benefit is the additional
gain on the nursing calf. If a nursing calf can gain an
additional one pound per day by consuming 4 to 5
lb. of feed at a cost of $450/ton, then the additional
gain is only costing $1.02/head/day. With the current
market for a 600 lb. calf being $1.90/lb., we are profiting roughly $0.90/head/day. In a 90 day creep feeding
program, you could realize $80 to $100/head increase
in net calf value. Another consideration when creep
feeding is the assistance creep feed offers the cow in
increased grazing time resulting in increasing the
overall condition of the cow. Finally, one of the biggest
benefits of the creep feeding program is reduction in
stress at weaning time. The reduction in stress on the
16
Michelle Popek
(979) 240-5194
[email protected]
SUPPLY
Weaning Oppor