Preconditioning calves for the feedlot.
Preconditioning is a theoretically sound concept; however, it has not gained wide acceptance by cow-calf producers or feeders owing to logistics and expense. Many of the claims of preconditioning are not substantiated by controlled research data. Many of the positive claims made for preconditioning may be a result of the calves moving more rapidly through the marketing channels. Although preconditioning is profitable to some producers, on the average, preconditioning is difficult to justify economically. Modifications of the preconditioning concept have the potential to make it more feasible to the majority of cow-calf producers. Any producer or feeder considering a preconditioning program or feeding preconditioned calves should first calculate an economic projection.
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*