Registration for South Dakota State University Extension’s Calf Value Discovery Program is now open.
Through this Program SDSU Extension enables SD cow-calf producers to assess the value of their cattle in value-based marketing systems as well as gain valuable carcass and feedlot performance information to aid in management decisions and improve profitability.
Producers consign a minimum of five 500–800-pound steers to the CVD Program, the cattle will then be fed in an accelerated finishing program at Vander Wal Yards in Bruce, SD.
Cattle will be weighed periodically by SDSU personnel, and cattle owners will be sent performance updates and copies of their individual feed bills. Feed, yardage, and veterinary bills will be financed, and any death loss will be shared among all participants in the project.
Cattle will be sold in market groups as they are deemed to have approximately 0.4 inches of backfat by visual appraisal with the first group is sold around mid-May.
For cattle to qualify for this program they must be dehorned, castrated, and healed prior to feedlot arrival.
It is also encouraged that calves arrive at the facility with sufficient vaccination against important disease issues.
Sufficient vaccination is considered as:
- 5-way viral (BVD-1, BVD-2, IBR, BRSV, PI3) vaccine
- At least 2 doses of a killed 5-way; or
- At least 1 dose of a MLV 5-way
- Mannheimia haemolytica vaccine: 1 dose
- 7-way Clostridial vaccine: 2 doses
To register, please contact Julie Walker at 605-688-5458 or Warren Rusche at 605-688-5452 with SDSU Extension.
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