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2007-2008 Calf Value Discovery Program

 Demonstrating the Value of South Dakota’s Feeder Calves

A program enabling cow-calf producers to:

  • assess the value of their cattle in value-based marketing systems

  • gain valuable carcass and feedlot performance information to aid in management decisions and improve profitability

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS:

Producers consign minimum of five, 500 – 800 lb, steers to the CVD Program. Cattle will be fed in an accelerated finishing program at VanderWal Yards, Bruce, SD. A location in western South Dakota will be designated as a West River collection point for interested producers. The Calf Value Discovery Program will provide transportation from the West River collection point to VanderWal Yards.

Cattle will be weighed periodically by SDSU personnel, and cattle owners will be sent performance updates and copies of their individual feed bills.

Feed, yardage and veterinary bills will be financed, and any death loss will be shared among all participants in the project.

Cattle will be sold in market groups as they are deemed to have approximately 0.4 inches of backfat by visual appraisal. Generally the first group is sold in early May. All cattle will be sold on a grid price system.

Pre-shipping Management:

The cattle MUST be dehorned, castrated and healed prior to feedlot arrival. Cattle that must be dehorned or castrated at the feedlot will be so processed at the owner’s expense. The following vaccinations are commonly administered prior to weaning. Consult with your veterinarian on the vaccination program that is best for your cattle.

  • 7-Way Clostridial

  • IBR

  • PI3

  • BRSV

  • BVD

NOTE: calves do not need to be weaned or pre-conditioned to participate; however, we do ask that you let us know if the calves will be weaned or not prior to arrival.

IMPORTANT: We reserve the right to refuse any steers that are outside the weight range or that have not been dehorned, castrated and healed!

DATA PROVIDED:

  • Feedlot performance

  • Carcass data

  • Tenderness

PROGRAM COSTS:

  • $15/head registration fee

  • Transportation to VanderWal Yards or to the West River collection point (owner’s responsibility)

SIGN-UP PROCESS:

  • Send completed participation form and a $15 per head, non-refundable deposit to:

Cody Wright, PhD

South Dakota State University

Box 2170

Brookings, SD  57007

(605) 688-5448

  • Make checks payable to: SDSU Department of Animal and Range Sciences

  • Entry deadline is October 19, 2007

  • Cattle will be received at the West River collection point between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm (noon) MT on November 5, 2007.

  • Cattle will be received at VanderWal Yards between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm CT on November 6 and 7, 2007.

DOWNLOAD INFORMATION:

Information Sheet - pdf

Information Sheet - MS Word

Registration Form - pdf

Registration Form - MS Word

Entries must be received by: October 19, 2007

 

Please e-mail any questions, comments, or suggestions about this website to cody.wright@sdstate.edu

Creating Opportunities for a Lifetime

South Dakota State University, South Dakota Counties, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating

South Dakota State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal opportunity employer (Male/Female) and offers all benefits, services, education and employment opportunities

without regard for ancestry, age, race, citizenship, color, creed, religion, gender, disability, national origin, sexual preference, or Vietnam Era status.