THE hammer will fall on the last of the summer weaner calf sales next week, but the results on weaned calves are in.

Properly weaned and vaccinated cattle do attract a premium, as many growers already knew.

Elders agents in the Western District reported weaned and vaccinated calves consistently achieved 10c/kg more than their less fussed-over counterparts during January.

At the famed mountain calf sales, which kicked off yesterday, more vendors offered calves with a full health-treatment history than was the case just two years ago.

This was a clear indication of the emphasis the market places on calves ready to go on, Elders Omeo's David Hill said.

But what does "properly weaned" or "vaccinated" mean, especially when sung out over the chorus of a packed buyers' race, or barely visible on a distant pen card?

The quandary has prompted some agencies to develop weaning and/or vaccination programs that are easily recognised within the industry and provide some verification.

The latest of these agencies is Rodwells, which earlier this year launched its Rodwells Ready inoculation program.

Rodwells merchandise manager Sebastian Leith said the demand to develop such a program came primarily from backgrounders seeking feedlot entry for their cattle.

"We've developed a system closer to the farm gate, so clients can be better serviced and produce better-quality products," he said. "Feedlots are not interested in cattle unless they've been vaccinated."

Mr Leith said feedlots already sought out and paid a premium for vaccinated cattle, but a price-per-kilo premium for vaccinated and properly weaned cattle was hard to pinpoint.

"We are negotiating with feedlots to organise a premium," Mr Leith said.

The Rodwells Ready pack includes a 5-in-1, Pestivirus vaccine, bovine respiratory disease vaccine and pour-on drench, for $12 per head.

For $12.75, an A, D, E and B12 injection is included, or producers can spend $16.25 to also have a dose of Pilliguard (for pink eye) included.

A 10c/kg premium on a 300kg calf (190c/kg compared to 180c/kg, for example) returned an extra $30/head, making the base rate of $12/head to prepare cattle for market "properly" well worth it, Mr Leith said.

Most importantly, the packs include ear tags for treated cattle.

"It allows the buyer to quickly assess the animal," Mr Leith said.