Backgrounding CattleBackgrounding Cattle

Larry C. Hollis, D.V.M., M.Ag.Larry C. Hollis, D.V.M., M.Ag.Extension Beef VeterinarianExtension Beef Veterinarian

Twig T. Marston, Ph.D.Twig T. Marston, Ph.D.Extension Beef SpecialistExtension Beef Specialist

Kansas State UniversityKansas State University

BackgroundingBackgrounding

Preparing cattle for the next phase of the Preparing cattle for the next phase of the production cycle:production cycle:

Development of replacement animalsDevelopment of replacement animals

Preparing purchased calves for the feedlotPreparing purchased calves for the feedlot

Preparing home-raised calves for the Preparing home-raised calves for the feedlotfeedlot

Our FocusOur Focus

Preparing calves for the feedlotPreparing calves for the feedlot

Our FocusOur Focus

Management and healthManagement and health

Management and nutritionManagement and nutrition

Where does backgrounding Where does backgrounding start ?start ?

Cow Management ProgramCow Management Program

VaccinationsVaccinationsParasite controlParasite controlBreedingBreedingFeedingFeedingCalving managementCalving management

Custom-tailored to meet your needs, Custom-tailored to meet your needs, abilities and facilities, and the needs of the abilities and facilities, and the needs of the markets you are targetingmarkets you are targeting

Colostrum ManagementColostrum Management

2-year study @ US-MARC2-year study @ US-MARC

263 crossbred calves263 crossbred calves

23% had inadequate colostrum intake23% had inadequate colostrum intake

Wittum, Perino, et al

Colostrum ManagementColostrum Management

Results of inadequate colostrum intake:Results of inadequate colostrum intake:– Birth to weaningBirth to weaning

3X more likely to get sick3X more likely to get sick

6X more likely to get sick during first 28 days6X more likely to get sick during first 28 days

5X more likely to die5X more likely to die

Weighed 35# less at weaningWeighed 35# less at weaning

Colostrum ManagementColostrum Management

Results of inadequate colostrum intake:Results of inadequate colostrum intake:– FeedlotFeedlot

3X more likely to get sick3X more likely to get sick

Gained 24# less over 242-day feeding periodGained 24# less over 242-day feeding period

Calf Management ProgramCalf Management Program

VaccinationsVaccinations

Parasite ControlParasite Control

ImplantsImplants

Individual animal IDIndividual animal ID

WeaningWeaning

Timing of CastrationTiming of Castration

Early CastrationEarly Castration

No implantNo implant

Early CastrationEarly Castration

+ Implant+ Implant

Late CastrationLate Castration

WeaningWeaning

No. of calvesNo. of calves 6060 4040 4141

Weight, lbWeight, lb

JuneJune

OctoberOctober

NovemberNovember

304304

564564

606606

311311

580580

628628

317317

578578

611611

Early = Day 90Early = Day 90

Late = Day 226Late = Day 226

Marston, et al, 2003 Kansas Cattlemen’s Day

Weaning ConditionsWeaning Conditions

Dry, dusty lotDry, dusty lot

Fenceline weaningFenceline weaning

Move cows away or move calves awayMove cows away or move calves away

Wean on the truckWean on the truck

Weaning Vaccination Program:Weaning Vaccination Program:

2 @ IBR-PI2 @ IBR-PI33-BVD-BRSV vaccines-BVD-BRSV vaccines

– 2-4 weeks preweaning and at weaning,2-4 weeks preweaning and at weaning,

oror at weaning and 2-4 weeks later at weaning and 2-4 weeks later

7-way clostridial vaccination7-way clostridial vaccination

Pasteurella bacterin/leukotoxoidPasteurella bacterin/leukotoxoid

Hold for 45 days after weaningHold for 45 days after weaning

Prevent BRDPrevent BRD

Texas A&M Ranch-to-Rail SummaryTexas A&M Ranch-to-Rail SummaryThe Impact of Health on Performance, Profits and CarcassThe Impact of Health on Performance, Profits and Carcass

SickSick HealthyHealthy

HeadHead 3,2023,202 9,3939,393Death LossDeath Loss 3.4% 3.4% 0.5% 0.5%Average Daily Gain, LbAverage Daily Gain, Lb 2.78 2.78 2.96 2.96Total Cost of Gain, $/CwtTotal Cost of Gain, $/Cwt $65.96$65.96 $56.68$56.68Medicine Cost/HeadMedicine Cost/Head $31.33$31.33 $0.00$0.00Net Return/HeadNet Return/Head -$31.97-$31.97 +$61.23+$61.23

Quality GradeQuality GradeChoiceChoice 29%29% 39%39%SelectSelect 63%63% 56%56%StandardStandard 8% 8% 5% 5%

Texas A&M Ranch-to-Rail SummaryTexas A&M Ranch-to-Rail SummaryThe Impact of Health on Performance, Profits and CarcassThe Impact of Health on Performance, Profits and Carcass

Difference in ValueDifference in Value

HealthyHealthy +$61.23+$61.23

SickSick -$31.97-$31.97

DifferenceDifference $93.20 $93.20

Average in weight of sick steers = 571 LbsAverage in weight of sick steers = 571 Lbs

$93.20 $93.20 ÷ 5.71 = $16.32/cwt less as Feeders÷ 5.71 = $16.32/cwt less as Feeders

3,202 sick steers X $93.20 = $298,426.003,202 sick steers X $93.20 = $298,426.00

Value of PreconditioningValue of PreconditioningHeifer Calves of Single Ranch OriginHeifer Calves of Single Ranch Origin

PerformancePerformance Weaned/ShippedWeaned/Shipped PreconditionedPreconditioned

HeadHead 1,6001,600 380 380

Feedlot in wt, lb.Feedlot in wt, lb. 550 550 640 640

Feedlot wt gain, lb.Feedlot wt gain, lb. 616 616 540 540

Days on feedDays on feed 220 220 180 180

Average daily gain, lb.Average daily gain, lb. 2.80 2.80 3.00 3.00

Feed:Gain, DM basisFeed:Gain, DM basis 6.60 6.60 6.02 6.02

Medicine, $/headMedicine, $/head 34.00 34.00 4.33 4.33

Death loss, %Death loss, % 4.44 4.44 1.30 1.30

Feedlot cost of gain, $/cwtFeedlot cost of gain, $/cwt 62.80 62.80 54.75 54.75

Cravey, 1996 Southwest Nutrition and Management Conference

Value of PreconditioningValue of PreconditioningHeifer Calves of Single Ranch OriginHeifer Calves of Single Ranch Origin

EconomicsEconomics Weaned/ShippedWeaned/Shipped PreconditionedPreconditioned

Precon cost, $/headPrecon cost, $/head -- -- 40.00 40.00

Feedlot COG, $/headFeedlot COG, $/head 386.85386.85 295.65 295.65

Fed heifer value, $/head*Fed heifer value, $/head* 795.33795.33 804.23 804.23

Value – total costsValue – total costs 408.48408.48 469.23 469.23

Difference in net valueDifference in net value -- -- 60.72 60.72

*Sold on live weight basis*Sold on live weight basis

Preconditioning PaysPreconditioning Pays

Retained ownershipRetained ownership

Market through system where added value Market through system where added value is recognized and compensatedis recognized and compensated