Spreadsheet for Evaluating Preconditioning Programs for Weaned Calves (PRECON2)

Preconditioning is the practice of preparing calves for the stresses encountered during the transition from nursing to confined feeding. The concept has existed since the large-scale cattle feeding industry first evolved in the late 1950s. The goals are to overcome the stress of weaning, teach calves to eat milled feed, administer appropriate immunizations, reduce sickness and increase the value of the calves to cattle feeders. Preconditioning usually involves a period of time between weaning and the sale or transfer to a feeding facility. Calves are accustomed to feed, immunized and given time to overcome the stresses of weaning. Numerous variations in preconditioning programs are practical, depending on management options available to the cow-calf producer and the feeder.

 

Regardless of the preconditioning program used, evaluation of the profitability of the practice will always be based on calculations of the costs involved compared to the returns from the practice. Spreadsheet programs for personal computers provide ideal methods of evaluating programs like preconditioning. Complex calculations involving many variables are performed almost instantaneously. Once the basic variables have been entered, changes in the preconditioning program can be evaluated by changing individual practices and observing the effect on returns.

 

PRECON2 is a file or template designed to run with Lotus 1-2-3 or a compatible spreadsheet. The template is available at most Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offices, but users wanting the Lotus or compatible programs will need to purchase the spreadsheet software to run the program. Also, PRECON2 is available in compiled form. This permits use of the spreadsheet by users who do not have LOTUS 1-2-3 or compatible spreadsheet software. Operation is very similar to that of LOTUS 1-2-3. The major difference is that equations used in the spreadsheet cannot be seen or altered.

 

Entering Data Into PRECON2

The spreadsheet, as it will appear on the screen and be printed out, is shown in Table 1. Data are entered by moving the cursor to the desired coordinate and entering the appropriate information. Values generated by the program are “protected” so they cannot be accidentally overwritten and the equations erased. Coordinates for data entry are unprotected and will appear highlighted on the screen. The program is set to automatically update all calculations after any new data entry. Users unfamiliar with LOTUS 1-2-3 should review an instruction manual or have someone give them a short lesson in the basic commands, such as retrieving a file, saving a file, etc. The compiled version is very similar to operation of LOTUS 1-2-3. An instruction sheet for using compiled programs is available.

 

Inputs

Enter the following where indicated under the column titled INPUTS. Cost items should be for expenses incurred as a result of preconditioning.

 

Ranch weaning weight

The full weight of calves at weaning.

 

Shrink to pay weight

The estimated or pencil shrink (%) between the full and sale weight. The program will then calculate the weaning pay weight. If the only weight known will be the sale weight at an auction barn, enter that weight for the Ranch weaning weight and enter a zero for percent shrink.

 

Estimated $/CWT. at weaning

Enter the estimated value ($/CWT.) of the calves for the weight conditions just entered above. The total net value of the calves will then be computed.

 

Days of preconditioning

Number of days the calves will be preconditioned.

 

Cattle interest rate, %

Rate interest is charged against the cattle.

 

Vaccines

Total cost per animal for vaccines.

 

Antibiotics, medicines

Total costs per animal for all treatments.

 

Internal parasites

$ per animal for deworming.

 

External parasites

$ per animal for fly, tick, lice control, etc.

 

Death loss

Expected percent death loss.

 

Equipment

Cost per animal of trucks, tractors, etc. needed for preconditioning.

 

Labor

Cost per animal for added labor during preconditioning.

 

Freight for cattle

Cost per animal for added hauling during preconditioning.

 

Marketing costs

$ per animal commissions, options, or futures trades encountered as a result of preconditioning.

 

Hay costs

Enter cost of hay ($/ton), amount fed daily per animal, and number of days hay is to be fed. The total cost for hay is then computed by the program.

 

Preconditioning feed

Enter the cost of purchased feed used for preconditioning, the amount fed daily per animal and the number of days fed. The total purchased feed cost is then computed.

 

Other costs

Enter any other costs (per animal basis) not previously covered.

 

Operating interest rate

Percent interest to be charged for all costs other than value of cattle.

 

Total Costs

After each expense item is entered, the total cost for each item for the entire preconditioning period is computed and listed under the column titled TOTAL COST.

 

Analysis of the Preconditioning Program

Two items are critical here. First the Rate of Gain (lb./day) from pay weight at weaning to pay weight at the end of preconditioning must be estimated and entered. Gain can vary greatly depending on the type of feeding program used as well as the quality of the cattle and weighing conditions at the start and finish of preconditioning. Weighing conditions can greatly affect apparent daily gains during short periods like those typically seen in preconditioning programs.

 

The other critical item is the value of the calf after preconditioning. Cattle prices will change during the preconditioning period; therefore, the value at the end of preconditioning should be estimated unless the cattle have been contracted at a set price for a given weight. The program permits prices to be estimated two ways, either calculated based on estimated prices for different weights of cattle or by entering a sale price directly.

 

A sale price ($/CWT.) can be calculated by entering the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Feeder Cattle Contract price for the month the cattle will be finished with preconditioning. This price is entered for the 750 lb. cattle sale weight because the Feeder Cattle Contract is for feeder steers weighing between 700 pounds and 800 pounds. Therefore, if the correct basis for each location and type of calves can be established, a price can be established. Preconditioned calves will probably weigh less than 750 pounds. (average weight for the Feeder Contract) and will be worth more per pound because calves generally increase in value per pound as they get lighter. In the program, a price “slide” is computed for calves weighing from 350 pounds to 900 pounds. by entering the “Value of gain ($/CWT.)” anticipated during the preconditioning period. Adjust the value of gain until the desired price for your weight of calves (after preconditioning) is computed.

 

A simpler way to enter a sale price is to directly enter the estimated sale price ($/CWT.) if already known under the column titled “Your sale price.”

 

After all the data have been entered, the program computes a Breakeven ($/CWT.) and the Total dollars per calf at sale (end of preconditioning).

 

Table 1.  Oklahoma State University Preconditioning Value Calculator

(List only those costs that will occur as a result of preconditioning.)

 

 

Program developed by Keith Lusby, Don Gill, and Kent Barnes
Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University. Copyright 1994.
Oklahoma Board of Regents for A&M Colleges. All rights reserved.

 

Chris Richards
Associate Professor, Animal Science

 

David L. Lalman
Extension Beef Cattle Specialist