Success StoryAdvanced Post Weaning Value-Added Program (PVAP)



Advanced Post Weaning Value-Added Program (PVAP)

Author: Kevin Laurent

Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences

Major Program: Beef

Outcome: Initial Outcome

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.






Stories by Kevin Laurent


Post Weaning Value-Added Program – Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION)

Post Weaning Value-Added Program – Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION)

about 2 years ago by Kevin Laurent

The Post Weaning Valued Added Program - Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION) began in 2019 through a gra... Read More


Laurindale Farms Finishing Program

about 2 years ago by Kevin Laurent

Laurindale Farms is a father-son operation in south Christian County that established a small freeze... Read More


Stories by Animal and Food Sciences


Post Weaning Value-Added Program – Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION)

Post Weaning Value-Added Program – Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION)

about 2 years ago by Kevin Laurent

The Post Weaning Valued Added Program - Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION) began in 2019 through a gra... Read More


Hay Production Field Day for Horse Owners

Hay Production Field Day for Horse Owners

about 2 years ago by Bob Coleman

Hay Production Field DayJuly 2021Sometimes planning takes a back seat to reality. How can it happen ... Read More