Unweaned bawling calves are at high risk for increased mortality and morbidity when shipped from the farm of origin.  By preconditioning calves prior to marketing, cow-calf producer can add value to calves by 

transitioning them through the weaning phase making them more resistant to disease and stress when shipped. Another benefit to preconditioning is the added weight gain and increased sale weight as compared to marketing directly off the cow.

Advanced-PVAP is aimed at producers who have historically weaned and preconditioned calves prior to marketing to help document the economic benefits of preconditioning.

Sixteen producers have participated in the Advanced PVAP program since July 2023. 

1. A detailed summary of closeouts from 16 producers from Trigg, Christian, Clark, Henry, Union, Washington, Graves, Rowan, Webster, Lyon, and Henderson counties is in the table provided.
2. Net added returns from preconditioning calves before marketing vs. selling at weaning averaged an additional $149.89/head for all 16 participants and ranged from a low of -$24.85 to a high of $389.40.
3. PVAP participants who weaned calves in the traditional month of October for December marketing fared the worst due to market conditions. On average these producers had to overcome a negative $26/cwt. discount from weaning to marketing resulting in average returns of only $22 per head.
4. PVAP participants who held calves for marketing in January or February were rewarded with a positive $3/cwt. margin resulting in net added returns of nearly $199 per head.