Every fall beef-cattle producers will step out of their front door and hear the familiar sound of bawling spring-born calves in search of their mothers. Weaning refers to the removal of a nursing calf from its mother. Some readers might be asking why do cattlemen wean their calves at 120 to 210 days of age each year.
Oklahoma State Extension District Livestock Specialist Earl Ward believes weaning calves is an important management practice.
“Being a good beef producer means reducing the amount of stress that an animal incurs, and weaning time is typically the greatest stress a calf will experience in it’s life. Weaning calves on the farm, in an environment that they feel safe in results, in a healthier, heavier calf that can be more financially rewarding to a producer.”
There are many considerations for weaning, including time of weaning, preparation for weaning, method of weaning, and post-weaning management. Different strategies of weaning affect performance of the calf (market weight, health, etc.) and the cow (reproductive efficiency, breed back percentage, cull weights, health, etc.), and therefore can affect profitability.
It is helpful to familiarize calves with their weaning area by giving them access to it for a few days prior to weaning. If a dry-lot or corral is used, smaller pens are preferable to reduce fence walking or pacing.
Many cattlemen prefer to move calves to an isolated pasture so that neither the calf nor the cow can hear each other during the bawl-out period. As time passes, the calf adjusts to being without its mother, and obtains all nutrients by eating grass and grains.
Fence line weaning is another technique growing in popularity. This technique leaves cows and calves in adjacent pastures, often using electric fence on either side of a barbed or woven wire fence to keep the cattle apart.
This practice has shown to reduce the duration of stress experienced by calves. Previous and recent exposure to electric fencing is often necessary to train the calves to respect it. Initially cows will graze and rest close to the fence, but gradually begin to graze farther and farther away.
Weaning calves at an earlier time than normal, referred to as early weaning, could be implemented if drought conditions are present. Greg Lardy, North Dakota State University Animal Science Department head and professor, says that early weaning can be an effective drought-management tool, as well as a way to save on feed costs.
“Early weaning’s big advantage is reducing lactation demands. A dry cow on drought-stressed forage has lower nutrient requirements. Early weaning can also help first-calf heifers, because two-year olds are still trying to grow. By weaning their calves early, nutrients are freed up for heifers to complete growth and have a healthy pregnancy,” Lardy says.
Regardless of what techniques are used, developing a weaning strategy that fits your operation’s needs, labor restrictions, marketing goals, and environmental constraints is a critical step to reaching your goals as a beef producer.
If you have questions regarding weaning strategies, give Clinton a call at 620-583-7455. Laflin serves as the Ag and Natural Resources Agent for Kansas State Extension in Greenwood County.
