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

2. 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.

3. 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 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 days E
54%
45-90 days
Producers who wean calves on farm days

4. Sample 1
Operations by Size
= 20 calves

5. 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.

6. Weaning Practice Change
Sample 4

7. 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 days, 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