October 1, 2002

Enrollment Begins for Southwest Feeders 2002 Calf Backgrounding Test

The Southwest Feeders project at the North Dakota State University Hettinger Research Extension Center is seeking southwestern North Dakota producers interested in evaluating their steer calves in a backgrounding environment.

In October, Southwest Feeders will begin feeding its first set of calves at the center’s calf backgrounding lot. "The first year’s goal is to allow producers to evaluate the performance and economics of feeding their steer calves in a custom backgrounding environment," says Southwest Feeders coordinator Leif Anderson.

The project provides an evaluation for individual producers, so calf ownership will remain confidential. Pens in the lot are designed for eight head of growing calves. Thus, calves will be received in multiples of eight (8, 16, 24, etc.). This will allow a greater number of producers to participate in the backgrounding evaluation while minimizing individual risk by feeding a smaller number of cattle.

In addition to backgrounding cattle at the NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center, producers will have additional educational opportunities and resources available. Later this year, Southwest Feeders will host a Feeder’s Field Day for producers and offer additional county meetings and one-on-one farm/ranch visits.

"Our mission is to promote value-added economic development in southwestern North Dakota through education and research programs involving production systems that use locally produced feeds, calves and lambs," Anderson explains. For more information about Southwest Feeders or the 2002 calf backgrounding test, contact Anderson at (701) 567-4323.

What does it take to background calves with Southwest Feeders in 2002?

• Producers will deliver steer calves (weighing 525 to 575 pounds) to the feedlot at the Hettinger Research Extension Center in multiples of eight head at the end of October.

• Producers will receive monthly animal performance and financial reports.

• All calves will be fed a single haylage, grain-based diet.

• Producers are responsible for costs associated with a custom backgrounding lot through a standard custom feeding agreement.

• Producers are responsible for marketing and management of calves at the end of the backgrounding period.

• Producers and Southwest Feeders will follow Beef Quality Assurance-based production practices.

• Payment is required before calf release.

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Source: Leif Anderson, (701) 567-4323, landerso@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu