Virginia Retained Ownership Program- Fall 2007

Livestock Update, August 2007

Dr. Scott Greiner Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, VA Tech

The Virginia Retained Ownership Program, administered by Virginia Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, provides a practical mechanism for cow-calf producers to receive post-weaning growth, carcass, and health information on their cattle.  Again in 2007-08, the program will be conducted in cooperation with Tri-County Futurity in southwest Iowa.  The Tri-County Futurity consists of several modest size feedyards which prescribe to standardized management and record-keeping for retained ownership cattle, with supervision and coordination of efforts provided through Iowa State University Extension personnel.  The Virginia Retained Ownership Program has had a strong working relationship with the group in Iowa over the past several years.

The following table summarizes the performance and financial aspects of the steers and heifers recently fed.  This summary provides evidence of the dramatic rise in feed prices (and therefore costs of gain) since last fall.  The strong fed cattle market over the same period softened the blow of these increased feed prices.  A total of 612 steers and heifers were fed through ROP last spring and fall.  These cattle returned an average of $27 per head through retained ownership compared to assigned value as a feeder calf departing Virginia.  Net return to the cow, which reflects total dollars generated which are available to offset production costs (calculated as value of the calf as a feeder, plus or minus added value through retained ownership), were at levels to support profitability for the cow-calf producer (average of $729 per calf).  It should be noted that this summary represents the average of each pen of cattle, including the deads and realizers.  Within each group, substantial variation existed for all traits.

This spring, cattle participating in ROP became eligible for a $25 per head premium as a result of age and source verification with Tyson-IBP.  Eligible calves must be home-raised and participating producers must be enrolled and trained for the age and source verification program (accomplished through participation in VA ROP).

The next shipment of the Virginia ROP will occur in mid-September.  Consignors can send as few as five head of steers or heifers, and as many as a tractor-trailer load.  This September shipment has historically included fall-born calves.  Another shipment will be scheduled for late fall (typically spring-born calves).

For more information on the Virginia Retained Ownership Program contact Scott Greiner at 540-231-9159 or email sgreiner@vt.edu .

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