Traditional Weaning

Traditional weaning is defined as permanently separating cows and calves abruptly. Calves may be removed from the ranch or confined to a dry lot or a small pasture while the cows are taken away from the immediate area. Traditional weaning results in vocalization and fence walking which can last up to 3 days.

Fenceline Weaning

Fenceline weaning (placing cows and calves on opposite sides of a fence) has been shown to result in fewer vocalizations, less fence walking, and more weight gain postweaning compared to traditional weaning of calves. If fences are not strong enough to hold both cows and calves, fenceline weaning is not very successful and is very frustrating to producers. When fenceline weaning, consider using a tight, 4–5 strand barbwire fence, reinforced with woven wire or electric fence. Metal panel fences in corrals also work well, however another key to successful fenceline weaning is ensuring the adjacent pastures or pens share a fence long enough for the cows and calves to spread out and maintain relatively close physical proximity. After about 5–7 days, the calves can be moved to a new pasture or transported to a feedlot. Introducing calves to feed bunks and the water source before separation helps them adapt quickly. If calves are going to be supplemented, consider supplementing the pairs three days a week beginning about three weeks before weaning. If pairs are being fed a total mixed ration in a bunk prior to weaning, producers will want to allow 2 feet of linear bunk space per cow and 1 foot per calf. When calves learn to eat from the bunk with their mothers, they become more familiar with consuming a total mixed ration or supplement and it will familiarize them with the feed truck.

Two-step weaning

At the time of preconditioning, a plastic nose piece (sometimes called a “weaner”) is placed in the calf’s nose which allows the calf to graze and drink water, but prevents nursing (step 1). Calves are then returned to the cows for 10–14 days. After 10 to 14 days of wearing the plastic nose piece, calves and cows are permanently separated (step 2). Research has shown this method decreases vocalization and walking by cows and calves. At the time of dam and calf separation, calves and cows can be handled like that described in the “traditional” weaning method. Effects on weight gain have been variable.

Weaning on dormant range

Although the calf has been eating 1–1.5% BW (on a dry matter basis) in forage or feed, the rumen is small. Low quality hay or forage moves slowly through the digestive tract and does not provide a lot of nutrition. If calves continue grazing after weaning, consider the nutrient content of the forage. Native range in the fall is in a state of declining nutrient content. Weaned calves grazing native range in the fall may require supplemental feed depending on the targeted weight gain. The appropriate weight gain post-weaning depends on management objectives for the calves. Introducing calves to the supplement before weaning will allow the calves to become familiar with the supplement and decreases the time required to achieve desired intake of the supplement post-weaning.

Weaning on annual forages

Annual forages can be more nutrient dense than dormant native range and can provide a high quality diet for weaned calves. Grazing cool season annuals, such as oats or oat-brassica mixes have resulted in 1–2 lb/d gain in weaned calves. However, since most cropping fields do not have strong perimeter fences, weaning calves for 5–7 days elsewhere, prior to turn out on annual forages may be a better option than weaning on the fields.

Weaning in dry lot

Calves moving from grazing to dry lot for weaning must learn to eat from a bunk. Bunk space needs to be adequate (1–1 1/2 ft/hd) for the number of calves being weaned. Adding fill dirt around bunks and water tanks may be necessary to ensure small calves can reach water and feed. Reduced intake typically results in poor weight gain and depressed immune function. Therefore, maintaining feed intake is crucial. Feeding long stem, high quality grass hay the first two or three days post-weaning, works well to start calves on feed, especially if calves were in a grazing situation prior to weaning. It is familiar to them and the large particle size helps maintain rumen function. After two or three days, begin adding supplemental protein and energy to the diet. The diet can be delivered as a total mixed ration or supplement can be top-dressed on the hay. Fermented feeds such as silage can be unpalatable if not familiar to the calves and should be introduced slowly after they are eating well. However, if they were eating silage in a total mixed ration with the cow prior to weaning, they will eat it well. Rumen undegradable protein (RUP), which is protein that escapes digestion by the microbes in the rumen and is available to the animal at the tissue level for structural and muscle growth, is important for the growing calf. Milk provides a good source of RUP, but has now been removed from the diet. Distillers grains, a by-product of the ethanol industry is a good source of both RUP and energy. The energy in distillers grains is from digestible fiber and oil in the corn germ and is therefore a good complement to a forage diet. Corn grain is another energy source, but is high in starch, and should be limited to 50% or less of the dietary dry matter to prevent digestive upset in the calf. The following table contains example dry lot diets to adapt calves to feed over 14 days. These diets assume 500 lb calves eating 13 lb dry matter (DM)/d and gaining 1.5 lb/d by day 14.

Weaning early

Traditionally calves are weaned between 180–240 days of age. However, early weaning (100–150 days) may be considered to improve cow body condition or improve pasture conditions during times of forage shortage. Providing palatable, familiar, nutrient dense feed and a familiar, accessible water source as well as employing a solid health management program is critically important.

Notes