Cattle prices have increased the value of every calf entering the marketplace. As buyers invest more in feeder cattle, keeping calves healthier and performing well has become more important than ever.
On an episode of DocTalk, Dr. Tim Parks, Merck Animal Health technical services manager, discusses how to build a successful preconditioning program and the management practices that improve calf health, performance and long-term value.
A successful preconditioning program is about much more than vaccination. It’s about preparing for the next phase in production through management decisions.
Where It Begins
Often, producers only think of vaccines as their preconditioning program. But it includes much more.
- Cow nutrition
- Parasite control
- Low-stress handling
- Weaning strategy
- Health documentation
“It’s not just the vaccines getting them ready. It’s the other things that come into play. It’s the nutrition that we start with at the cow level.” Parks says. “What have we done with that cow herd? What did we do to prepare that cow herd to develop a base level of immunity?”
Building on a Strong Foundation
Every management decision builds value in the calf’s future.
Vaccinating calves at an earlier age helps build immunologic memory — preparing them for the next stage of production. Parks notes vaccination starts with the cow herd and how they have been managed. He encourages producers to work with their veterinarians to develop a vaccination plan that is suitable for their herd.
During branding, Parks also recommends considering steroid implants to improve growth performance.
“The only person that’s going to benefit from that steroid implant in that suckling calf is the person that owns that suckling calf,” Parks explains. “Put it in, and see a 20- to 30-lb. advantage, let it carry through because it’s going to carry through that calf’s life and pick up that extra dollar. In today’s market, that’s a pretty good check.”
Once calves have developed immunological memory through early vaccination, the focus shifts to preparing them for weaning.
“Grass is dropping off, vitamin mineral levels are dropping off, parasite loads are increasing. There are a lot of challenges there,” Parks says. “So now we need to boost those vaccines, but we really need to prepare them. And one of those things, we’ve got to deworm the calves.”
Parks recommends a 45-day weaning period rather than taking calves to market just 14 to 21 days after weaning. The additional time allows for calves to adjust to their new environment, learn to eat from a bunk and better prepare for the next phase of production.
Why Buyers Notice the Difference
Healthy, well-preconditioned calves benefit everyone in the production chain. Buyers spend less on antibiotics, have fewer sick cattle to treat, and gain confidence knowing calves arrive with a documented health history. Feedyard employees also spend less time pulling and treating sick animals and more time managing daily operations.
The economic payoff becomes worth the extra steps in a pre-weaning program. In a collection of data done through a video auction in 2025, buyers paid around $9.03 more for PrimeVAC 45 calves than comparable cattle that did not complete the same program.
“Instead of pulling sick cattle, they can do other things. They can feed cattle. They can maintain the pens. They can do the other things that they need to do. And labor is a concern anywhere you go,” Parks explains. “Anything that we can do, as we see the labor decrease, it just increases the value of these preconditioned calves even more.”
Beyond improved calf health, Parks says a complete preconditioning program creates value throughout the supply chain. Feedyards spend less time treating sick cattle, employees can focus on daily management tasks, and buyers have greater confidence in calves with a documented health history.
The Bigger Picture
While vaccination remains an essential part of any preconditioning program, Parks emphasizes it is only one component of preparing calves for the next phase of production. Nutrition, parasite control, low-stress handling, proper eating and health documentation all contribute to healthier, more resilient cattle that are ready to perform.
“Anything that people can do at that timeframe that we can set that calf up for success in this manner, it just opens up the labor to where they can just handle them much easier,” Parks says. “It’s not just labor; it’s skilled labor. Anything that we can do all the way through to lessen that load just makes everybody a bit happier.”
Your Next Reads:
- Cutting Stress, Cutting Sickness: Weaning Lessons from Hart Farms
- Do the Common Things Uncommonly Well: Weaning Strategies That Work
- The Biggest Weaning Mistake? Having No Plan at All
- Lower the Stress, Boost the Gain: How to Build a Better Weaning Strategy
This article is part of Drovers’ Weaning Strategies and Preparation Week. Weaning is a high-stakes milestone when herd health, nutrition and marketing strategies must align perfectly. Throughout the week, the Drovers team will share expert-backed tips to minimize stress on your calves — and your bottom line. Bookmark our weaning resource hub to stay updated.
