Preferred Management Practices for Preconditioning Calves

Often ranchers wonder if there is added value to pre-conditioning their calves before marketing them. University of Idaho Extension Beef Specialist Dr. Benton Glaze shares results from a survey of feedlot managers asking what management practices were important to have done to cattle prior to arriving at the feedlot.

Glaze: "So in this study feedlot managers identified five different management practices that they thought were important to have to cattle before they come to the feedlot. They mentioned that calves should be castrated and dehorned at least four weeks prior to shipping. They also mentioned that calves should be given respiratory vaccine at least a couple weeks prior to weaning. They also wanted to producers to make sure that those calves were introduce to a feed bunk so they can come in and get started eating right away. Calves were weaned at least four weeks before shipping. Then the other that calves were treated internal and external parasites prior to shipping."

Dr. Glaze continues.

Glaze: "So I think from this study as feedlot managers have identified these as important practices, producers can take stock in that and know when they perform these practices and take care of their cattle right that they will be set up well for the feedlot phase and they will be rewarded in the market place for those cattle."