Background

Demand for weaned calves is growing and the cattle market is placing more emphasis on calves with a known management history. The overwhelming majority of Kentucky calves are weaned on the trailer on the way to the local sale barn. But research tells us that preconditioning calves can help reduce sickness and death loss by 74 percent, making them more valuable.

To help Kentucky cow-calf producers make important decisions, we are starting a new program for producers who have never marketed weaned calves or who have never retained ownership in the feedlot. It’s called the Post Weaning Value Added Program or PVAP for short. Progressive producers may be able to capture more added value and a greater return on investment by owning their own cattle through the feedlot phase.

Our goal for this program is to encourage producers to retain ownership and capture added value from their investment in beef cattle genetics, facilities and improved management through diversified marketing strategies. We will offer two options: Precondition-PVAP, which is an on-farm preconditioning program that prepares calves for the feedlot and Feedlot-PVAP, which allows producers to send cattle to the feedlot to evaluate performance and carcass merit.

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What is PVAP?

The Post Weaning Value Added Program (PVAP) encourages cow-calf producers to retain ownership and capture added value for their investment in beef cattle genetics and BQCA certification through diversified marketing strategies. Two options are offered:

Option 1: ​Precondition - PVAP

• Ownership retained post weaning, preconditioned and sold in KY
• For home raised weaned calves retained on the farm for 45-120 days prior to marketing
• Only producers who have never weaned and preconditioned calves on the farm are eligible
• Up to $1,000 incentive payment​

Option 2: Feedlot - PVAP​

• Ownership retained through feedlot phaseand sold in Iowa
• For home raised calves weaned on the farm using CPH-45 protocol, then enrolled in the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity Cooperative in Lewis, IA
• Only producers who have never retained ownership through a commercial feedlot are eligible
• Up to $750 incentive payment

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If you are interested in participating in this program, contact your Cooperative Extension Service. Funding is limited, so apply as soon as possible to be included.