Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
5/12/00
Contacts:
Carl Neifert, Extension Livestock Field Specialist, (515)
462-1001, x1nifert@exnet.iastate.edu
Curt Cain, Guthrie Center cow-calf producer, (515)
747-9904
Elaine Edwards, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-5168, eedwards@iastate.edu
Raccoon Valley Cow-Calf Producers Form Marketing Association
GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa -- Nine cow-calf producers from the Raccoon Valley area joined forces last year and formed an association to market their calves directly to feeders. The Raccoon Valley Cow-Calf Association is supported by Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and ISU's Iowa Beef Center.
Carl Neifert, ISU Extension livestock field specialist, coordinated the association.
"An advantage of the program is it increases the competitive advantage for smaller cow-calf producers and increases the net value of the calves marketed by the producers," Neifert said. In 1999, 400 calves were enrolled in the program. On average, the steers gained 2.64 pounds per head per day, while the heifers gained an average of 2.32 pounds per head per day. The net value added per calf averaged $42.32.
"As an association, we sold calves from two backgrounding lots last year, one by Redfield and the other by Guthrie Center," said Curt Cain, Guthrie Center cow-calf producer and chair of the association's marketing committee. "It worked out well. We learned some things this year and will do some changes next year, like putting all the lightweight calves together from the get-go."
"Participants market feeder cattle in uniform lots by sex, color, weight and genetics. Visual ID and electronic ID tags are placed on all calves," Neifert said. "The program also gives the producer the opportunity to obtain carcass data on their calves."
Cain marketed 65 calves this year through the association. He said producers benefited "by working together and having larger lot sizes with more calves to market at one weight."
Cain, who also serves as secretary-treasurer of the group, anticipates participation to double in the association next year. "We are pretty much open to anyone who is interested."
To participate in the program, calves must have the vaccinations required for the Iowa Green Tag program as well as the Pasteurella vaccination. The calves must be delivered to a cooperating feedlot by the first week of October. A $20 per head deposit is paid at delivery.
For more information, contact Carl Neifert at (515) 462-1001; e-mail x1nifert@exnet.iastate.edu.
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