The Post Weaning Valued Added Program - Precondition (PVAP-PRECONDITION) began in 2019 through a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and is administered by the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Beef Network. The objective of PVAP-PRECONDITION is to encourage cow-calf producers to retain ownership and capture added value from their investment in beef cattle genetics, facilities, and improved management through diversified marketing strategies. This program is aimed at Kentucky cow-calf producers who have never marketed weaned calves.

Justification:  Demand for weaned calves is growing and the cattle market is placing more emphasis on calves with a known management history.   The overwhelming majority of calves in KY are weaned on the trailer in route to the local sale barn.  Research has shown that calves preconditioned through programs such as the CPH-45 experience a 74% reduction in sickness and death loss making them more valuable to buyers.  By weaning and preconditioning calves on the farm in KY, producers can not only potentially capture a premium at the sale barn, but also add more weight to calves prior to marketing. Summary data from UK and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture have consistently shown positive net returns for participating in CPH-45 sales.

Eligibility

• Producers who have never weaned and preconditioned calves on the farm.
• Home raised weaned calves retained on the farm for 45-120 days prior to marketing. 

Procedures

• A site visit by the UK ANR Agent or KBN Facilitator and UK Specialist was conducted to inspect facilities to determine the suitability of a weaning pen, on farm feed storage, etc. A proper feeding program was also discussed at this time. 
• Calves were weighed and worked at weaning using CPH-45 or similar approved protocol. Calves were also and graded to determine initial value. 
• Calves were marketed at a recognized preconditioned sale or outlet such as CPH-45, Red Tag, Yellow Tag, Farmers’ Elite, etc.
• Records detailing beginning weights, feed and vet costs, and sales receipts were submitted by the producer.  Upon receipt of the records, producers received a PVAP-incentive payment of $30 per head.
• A closeout report detailing the costs and returns of the project was provided by the specialist.

Results

            A summary of closeouts for 10 farms that completed the program in 2020-21 is in the chart below.   On the average, by weaning and preconditioning their calves prior to marketing, producers averaged $64.42 net added value per head versus selling at weaning.