Hi all --

We are interested in looking into the options for sending weaned,
preconditioned calves to a feedlot on a retained ownership basis with the
hopes of also getting feedlot and carcass data back on these calves.
Currently, we have 12 head at the Cornell Value Discovery program and are
very pleased with their system.  However, they can only feed a small amount
of calves and like to limit consignors to 8 head each.  Next year we will
probably have 20-25 head that we would like to feed out somewhere.  Is this
something that the VBPA marketing committee could address along with John in
Extension?  I spoke with a Vermont producer yesterday who sells
retail/wholesale organic beef.  Unfortunately, he finishes more cattle than
he can market right now through his organic label and is looking to retain
ownership through an "inorganic" feedlot (since his organic grain is so
costly) and market through that feedlot to a larger packing company.  He may
have up to 50 calves that he'd like to send.

Does anyone else have calves that they would like to market this way?  How
do we get started?  Trucking will be a factor to keep in mind.

Cathy