02. The Weight of Success: How Bovine Preconditioning Reduces Transport Shrink and Optimizes Growth
- MVZ.EPA. Rubén Vázquez Aguilar
- May 4
- 2 min read
HERDSECURE TECHNICAL BRIEF
INTRODUCTION:
After weaning, producers face several options regarding their calves:
Sell them immediately
Opt for a preconditioning period before sale
Retain them for a short or long period (backgrounding)
Sell them to a cattle buyer
Send them directly to a feedlot post-weaning
Bovine preconditioning programs involve a series of on-ranch management practices designed to improve calf health, nutrition, and overall performance. This includes weaning calves at least 45 days prior to sale, training them to eat from feed bunks and drink from water troughs, and implementing a proper vaccination and deworming protocol. It may also include procedures like dehorning, castration, and general handling and hygiene measures.
The weaning process can induce high levels of stress in young calves due to exposure to new environments, transportation, dietary and water changes, and different climate conditions. Preconditioning helps calves better cope with this post-weaning stress compared to unprepared animals. Preconditioned calves adapt more quickly to new challenges and stressful events, making them more productive and profitable.
BOVINE IMPACT:
A recent study, highlighted by Dr. John Maday in Drovers, found that calves sold or placed into feedlots 45 days after preconditioning had:
30% lower morbidity rates
50% lower mortality ratescompared to non-preconditioned calves.
Additionally, preconditioned calves gained 0.3 pounds (136 grams) more per day than their non-preconditioned counterparts.
Other research shows that non-preconditioned calves can lose 10–15% of their body weight during transportation—representing major shrink losses.
In contrast, preconditioned calves show reduced shrink, which contributes to more consistent transport weights.
Preconditioning not only reduces the risk of illness during transit, but also adds value for the producer, often commanding premium prices at sale. This translates into:
Healthier calves
Better feed efficiency
Heavier weaning weights
It encourages producers to maintain high reproductive efficiency, increasing calf output and performance. When widely adopted, preconditioning makes cattle production more competitive and efficient, especially when there's a strong relationship between cow-calf operators and feedlot finishers, such as in contract-based cattle systems.
In summary, preconditioning means better calves and better profits for everyone involved.
REFERENCES:
Bremer, M. (2023). Preconditioning calves: can it add value? UNL- BEEF. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Avent, R. K., Ward, C. E., & Lalman, D. L. (2017). Economic value of preconditioning feeder calves. Extension. Oklahoma State University. AGEC-583.
Forcheiro, C. (2023). Three reasons to select preconditioned calves. Beef Research Manager. Feed Greatness.
Prevatt, W., Rankins, D., & Rodning, S. (2016). Preconditioning feeder calves makes dollars and sense. Retrieved May 31, 2016, from http://www.aces.edu/timelyinfo/Ag&NatResEcon/2007/November/DAERS_07_15.pdf.
Bremer, M. (2016). Preconditioning calves: can it add value for you as a cow-calf producer? Retrieved May 31, 2016, from http://beef.unl.edu/preconditioning-calves-can-it-add-value.
Beef Cattle Research Council. (2016). What is the value of preconditioning calves? Retrieved June 16, 2016, from http://www.beefresearch.ca/fact-sheets/what-is-the-value-of-prec.
Halfman, B., & Stuttgen, S. (2016). Pre-conditioning program considerations for feeder cattle. Retrieved May 31, 2016, from http://fyi.uwex.edu/wbic/files/2013/11/general-pre-conditioning.pdf.
