LAUSR

Cost-effective calf pre-conditioning programs utilizing high-quality pastures and minimal grain supplements can improve net returns of limited-resource cow-calf operations. The objective of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing two different supplements in a forage-based 45-day pre-conditioning program. Twenty-one Angus-cross calves averaging 6 months of age were assigned randomly at weaning to two groups based on sex and initial body weights: commercially available complete feed, 16% crude protein (Group 1), and corn-mineral mix, 10% crude protein (Group 2, Control). Calves were backgrounded on natural pastures that were predominantly Bahia grass and acclimated to the feeds for 2 weeks prior to the start of the actual trial. Supplementation rates for both groups were maintained at 1.0 lb./150 lb. calf BW equivalent to 2.0 lbs./calf/day. Groups were rotated among pasture plots weekly depending on forage availability. Calves were weighed at 2-week intervals during the study. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance using GLM methods of SAS. No differences were observed among groups in calf BW gain (P < 0.74) and net returns (P < 0.92). Initial calf BW were 357.2 ± 15.2 vs. 370.9 ± 16.6 lbs., whereas final BW were 398.2 ± 17.2 vs. 408.6 ± 20.1 lbs., for groups 1 and 2, respectively. Thus, average weight gains were 41.0 vs 37.7 lbs., for groups 1 and 2, respectively (Table 1). Feed costs were $17.97 vs. $16.97 for groups 1 and 2, respectively culminating in a $0.44 vs. $0.45 cost per lb. of gain, respectively. The current market price of a 400 lb. calf at the North Florida Livestock market averages $1.39/lb. Therefore, pre-conditioning calves using complete feed provides a $0.95/lb. return, whereas using corn-mineral mix returns a profit of $0.93/lb. Therefore, the corn-based supplement compared favorably to the commercially available complete feed in this system.