The effect of early weaning of Bonsmara bull calves on their profitability under feedlot conditions

Abstract

Profit is a primary factor determining the viability of any enterprise. The objective of this study was to assess the profitability of early- and traditionally weaned calves (EWC and TWC) under feedlot conditions. The feedlot arrival body weights for EWC and TWC were 254.86 ± 27.28 kg (n = 136) and 308.47 ± 24.56 kg (n = 149), respectively. A backgrounding program was followed by a 123-day finishing program, with a 1-week grower-adaptation period and a finisher ration provided ad libitum at 3% body weight (BW). The added carcass income (ACI) and total costs (variable and overhead costs) were used to determine the gross margin (GM). Total costs included initial value (IV), average daily feed cost (ADFC), average cost of gain (ACOG), processing costs, and total morbidity and mortality costs. Break-even, sensitivity, and partial budget analyses were conducted to assess profitability. The IV and ACI of the TWC group were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of the EWC group by 13.56% (R10 723.23 vs. R9 442.65) and 7.74% (R7 481.37 vs. R6 943.79), respectively. Weaning treatment significantly (P < 0.05) affected ACOG without impacting ADFC. The TWC had a 4.98% lower (R19.80 vs. R18.86) ACOG than the EWC group. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed for morbidity and mortality costs: morbidity costs for TWC were 93.64% higher than for EWC (R31.84 vs. R16.44), with average mortality costs of R92.00. Financial models indicate that the TWC group is more profitable than the EWC group under finishing conditions.