The VAC-45 program was developed at Texas A&M. In feedback comparing auction market source cattle that weighed less than 550 pounds to VAC-45 source cattle of similar weights received at commercial feedlots over a ten-year period from 1990 to 2000, the VAC-45 calves had only one-third as many sick calves, less than half as many dead calves, 0.3 pounds-per-day increased gain, and 0.8 pounds better feed conversions. These numbers, calculated in today’s market dollars, assuming a $35 treatment cost of a calf that cost $130/CWT and feed that cost $100/ton (dry matter basisi), lower the production costs by an average of $78.
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What is the average morbidity rate on VAC-45 cattle weighing an average of 500 pounds, and what is the average treatment cost for these cattle?
Last Updated: October 14, 2008
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