Agricultural News
Oklahoma Quality Beef Network's Gant Mourer Says Value-Added Programs Really Do Pay Off
Tue, 24 May 2016 00:03:37 CDT
The Oklahoma Quality Beef Network is a joint project of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association to help producers improve the quality of their cattle and better access value-added marketing programs. OSU Extension Beef Value Enhancement Specialist Gant Mourer says that value was seen this past fall and winter when feeder cattle prices collapsed.
"It was a really hard year, and every week, as we approached December, it seemed to get harder and harder and a lot of us went through that," he says. "But what we found is pre-conditioning these cattle, we still maintain the value of those animals."
Mourer says that while most producers still lost money during the down trending market conditions, those who participated in a value-added program mitigated their losses.
"Just simply hanging on to that calf for 45 days and not managing them at all, not weaning them, not doing anything with them - we lost about $250 a head over that short period of time," he says. "But through these management practices and marketing that way - or being a reputable producer - we only lost about $100 a head. So we saw about $100 to $150 a head value in a down market year."
Mourer says there are many choices when it comes to choosing a pre-conditioning program. He suggests working with a veterinarian to identify appropriate vaccination protocols.
OQBN is starting to set dates for 2016 sales. Mourer says producers looking to qualify for the program can find specific information at http://www.oqbn.okstate.edu/.
Learn more about the benefits of the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network during the latest Beef Buzz.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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