Tennessee takes the initiative

Many state cattle associations offer beef quality system assessment programs for producers. One is Tennessee, which also has a program to encourage producers to promote USDA age and source verification and preconditioning.

Funded by the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, it's designed to improve the quality of Tennessee calves and create markets to ensure ranchers are compensated for those quality cattle.

Dan Bond, who coordinates Tennessee's Cattle Improvement Initiative, says producers are paid $5/head for calves sold or marketed as USDA-approved age- and source-verified cattle. Another $5/head is available if the cattle are also verified preconditioned. Ranchers can receive up to $250 for each program.

“The general idea is to get the farmer to jump over the fence and at least try these programs,” says Bond, a cow-calf producer himself. Through mid-March, more than 5,000 cattle had been enrolled in the program.

Ken Givens, Tennessee agriculture commissioner, says age and source verification and preconditioning programs assure cattle buyers they're getting animals that have been properly cared for and that meet certain standards.

“With these payments, we want to encourage better cattle management and ensure Tennessee cattle producers have access to domestic and international markets where age and source verification are fast becoming standard,” he says.

In the Tennessee preconditioning payment plan, producers agree to perform certain best-management practices such as vaccinations, weaning, castration, parasite control and dehorning for improved cattle health and quality.

“Calves must be on a solid vaccination program in which they receive two rounds of shots,” Bond says. “They must also be weaned at least 45 days and bunk-broke.”

Producers must enroll in the age- and source-verification program before being eligible for the preconditioning incentive. Auction barns also are eligible for Tennessee state money to facilitate special age, source and preconditioning sales. The goal is to provide marketing opportunities for age- and source-verified feeder calves across the state.

Bond says he's used a good vaccination and preconditioning program for years to boost the value of his calves to stocker operators and feedyards and reduce the risk of animal health problems.

“I've done it for 20 years, and I'm finally getting paid for it in the market,” he says. “We feel if we can provide funds to help producers pay for some of their costs, more will take advantage of the program.”

For more on the Tennessee Cattle Improvement Initiative, go to www.picktnproducts.org and click on Tennessee Ag Enhancement. To learn more about the IBC studies, go to www.iowabeefcenter.org/content/IBC30.pdf.

Larry Stalcup is a freelance writer based in Amarillo, TX.