PowerPoint Infographics Sampler EVALUATING A CATTLE PRODUCER PROGRAM: Low Stress Weaning Workshop John Benner Augusta County PowerPoint Infographics Sampler

Sample 2 Step 7 Step 3 Step 1 Step 4 Step 8 Step 2 Step 6 Step 5 Low Stress Weaning Process: Recommended Steps to Profitable Low Stress Weaning Sample 2 Step 3 Check herd health program to determine any weak points or improvements to be made Step 7 Wean calves. Low stress method such as fenceline weaning recommended. Step 1 Determine Marketing Plan for Calf Crop Step 4 Determine weaning location and facility needs, adjust budget if needed Step 8 Evaluate weaning process and profitability. Were weaning & preconditioning costs covered? Should we change backgrounding ration, marketing plan? STRESS Step 2 Create Weaning and Preconditioning Enterprise Budget and determine costs Step 6 Determine weaning stress factors and risks: Environmental Nutritional Social Physical Step 5 Determine feed and forage supply and length of weaning period.

85% Sample 1 Weaning Period Length 28% 32% 54% A,B,C 0-30 days D Of Producers attending the Low Stress Weaning Workshop reported weaning their calves 30- 90 days. This compares to 44% of producers as reported by the USDA (2008). A,B,C 28% 0-30 days Producers who do not wean or wean calves 30 days or less D 32% 30-45 days Producers who wean calves on farm 30-45 days E 54% 45-90 days Producers who wean calves on farm 45-90 days

Sample 1 Operations by Size = 20 calves

Sample 1 Preconditioning/Weaning Ration Weaning Ration has large impact on cost of gain and weaning profitability. Program evaluations reported corn silage based operations weaned calves 90+ days Custom mixes included by product feeds, alfalfa. More common for larger operations.

Weaning Practice Change Sample 4

EVALUATING A CATTLE PRODUCER PROGRAM: Low Stress Weaning Sample 3 EVALUATING A CATTLE PRODUCER PROGRAM: Low Stress Weaning Results – What we learned, what producer learned Weaning Length 45-90 days 54% 30-45 days 34% >30 days 28% Producers weaning calves 45-90 days, 30-45 days and less than 30 days. 45 days is recommended. Feeding Practices 35% 35% of producers are weaning calves on a commercial feed, 23% use silage, 32% wean on pasture, 10% use a custom mix. Estimated Costs of Weaning $20-$40 $20-$40/calf median estimate given by producers as an estimate of total weaning/preconditioning costs per calf. Practice Adoption 25% 25% of producers attending the workshop stated they will begin developing budgets for their weaning programs. 32% 32% of producers attending the workshop stated they will adopt fenceline weaning as a low stress management practice. Savings to Producers $11-$20 $11-$20/calf median response given by producers as estimate of savings per calf weaned as a result of applying principles learned in this workshop. $12,451 Total estimated cost savings for incorporating preconditioning/weaning enterprise budgets and low stress weaning techniques reported by producers attending the Low Stress Weaning Workshop. Estimated # calves x savings per calf