Preconditioning

Abstract

“Condition” means to process, to prepare. “Pre” means before; before some event. “Precondition” means, in reference to cattle, going to the feedlot, to prepare them so they can best withstand the adjustment they undergo when they leave their point of origin to the feedlot. This, in general, refers to their first start—their origin, whether they are calves or older animals. It does not refer to the animal that has already moved into the channels of trade.

“Backgrounding” means processing the animal to best withstand the stresses of feedlot adaptation after leaving its point of origin and has entered the channels of trade.

Preconditioning is not new in that a number of cattlemen have been employing different procedures related to, or leading to, preconditioning for years.