The Oklahoma Quality Beef Network (OQBN) is a joint project of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. It is a network of beef producers, educators, veterinarians and industry professionals committed to increasing producers’ access to value added marketing opportunities.
Cow-calf operators selling the calves, and buyers alike, benefit from the OQBN program. The program results in producing heavier, healthier and higher-performing calves. Calves that have been managed according to a Vac-45 program show reduced stress and shrink, an improved immune system and increased sale weight.
As a result, over the last five years, OQBN calves have provided average premiums of over $13/cwt for certified weaned and preconditioned calves with over 23,400 head enrolled in the program over that time. Average gross returns to the producer are calculated to be $76/ calf, a $26 calculated net return on the investment in better calf quality and welfare.
At present, there are nine OQBN sale dates scheduled for calves weaned this fall. The first sale, for calves weaned by Sept. 23, is at OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno, OK, on Nov. 7. The complete set of sale dates and weaning dates for each sale can be found at tinyurl.com/bdfh4z2m.
To enroll calves into the OQBN program, producers should visit the website referenced above to purchase ear tags and initiate the enrollment process. Once the transaction of ear tag purchase is complete you will be contacted by an OQBN representative to schedule a verification. Producers can either complete the enrollment/vaccine records form in the link at the website, or the hard copy of the form included with ear tags purchased.
Keep the enrollment/vaccine records form for the OQBN representative that conducts the onsite verification of calves and vaccine records. Certification is complete upon approval from OQBN personnel.
Requirements for enrolling calves in the OQBN program include:
• Raised on the ranch of origin.
• Weaned a minimum of 45 days.
• Bull calves must be castrated and healed.
• Dehorned and healed.
• Vaccinated with two doses of 5-way respiratory vaccine.
• Vaccinated with two doses of (at least) 7-way clostridial vaccine (blackleg).
• Vaccinated with one dose of Pasteurella/Haemolytica (shipping fever).
• Identified with an OQBN ear tag.
• Must follow one of the three vaccination protocols (options on the health protocol sheet).
In addition:
• Producers must be Beef Quality Assurance certified.
• Calves must be third-party verified by Oklahoma State University (OSU) Extension personnel.
If you are interested in improving the profit potential of your cow-calf operation by capturing the premiums available through OQBN sales or have questions about the program, contact Paul Vining, OQBN Coordinator at 405-744-4268 or paul.vining@okstate.edu. — Mark Z. Johnson, OSU Extension beef cattle breeding specialist
