Agricultural News
Value-Added Programs Essential for Getting Top Cattle Dollar, Mourer Says
Fri, 02 Aug 2013 15:47:51 CDT
Getting top dollar for their cattle is not as difficult as some producers might believe, says Beef Value Enhancement Specialist Gant Mourer of Oklahoma State University. Mourer spoke recently with Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays about the challenges that face producers when it comes to adding value.
Mourer said most producers are already managing and caring for their herds properly, but more work needs to be done.
"The one thing I've found, Ron, is that these producers are already doing these management steps. We just need to get the word out to buyers that they are managing these cattle properly. And when they do that, we'll capture those premiums. And they are willing to pay more because those cattle do better for them down in the other segments of the beef industry."
Mourer said producers have discovered that the vaccination process-and documenting it-is essential to adding value as is weaning calves for 45 days to minimize stress.
"And when we reduce that stress oftentimes when we take them to the livestock auction we actually get some gain back on those cattle through the stress of actually being gathered and sent to auction. We'll gain anywhere from one to two percent on weights before they sell."
He said there are a number of programs out there to guide and document the valued-added process. He said they are very similar and qualifying for one will also qualify a producer for the others.
"One thing I always want people to know is that If you qualify for another program like the Zoeta Select Vac program or the Range Ready program with B I, you also qualify with our OQBN Vac 45 program. There are many programs out there, but we just need to get the message out there that we are managing these cattle properly. And a lot of feedlots are looking for these cattle and we market directly to some of those feedlots through new avenues and a lot of electronic media."
Maurer said the OQBN has 13 sales at eight different livestock markets beginning at the end of October. He said they have already enrolled 1,000 head for those sales.
Click on the LISTEN BAR below to listen to the full interview with Gant Mourer.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network- but is also 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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