Weaning can be a tough time for both calves and ranchers, with a lot riding on keeping calves healthy. How you manage this period can make the difference between raising a healthy, profitable calf or one that struggles to grow—or even worse, doesn’t survive.
According to Texas A&M’s Ranch to Rail Program, stress and illness during weaning led to a 17% increase in the cost of weight gain and a $95 drop in market profit per animal. Additionally, sick animals were 14% less likely to reach the Choice grade compared to their healthy counterparts.
To help you minimize stress during weaning and keep your calves on track for strong growth, here are the top three strategies to ensure profitability and reduce setbacks.
1. Minimize Extra Stress
It’s tempting to use weaning as a time to tackle other tasks, like castrating, dehorning, vaccinating, branding and separating calves. However, adding these stressors during weaning can weaken a calf’s immune system, making them even more vulnerable to illness. Instead, it’s best to handle these tasks at least three weeks before weaning to keep calves healthy.
2. Select a Weaning Strategy
Weaning not only takes away the calf’s main food source (the cow) but also its source of comfort and security. This sudden change can cause significant stress. To ease the transition, consider using weaning strategies that gradually break the nursing bond instead of abruptly separating the calf from its mother.
One approach is fence-line weaning. In this method, the calf or cow is moved to an adjacent pasture separated by a fence that allows them to see and touch each other but prevents nursing. Over about 7-14 days, both the calf and the cow will naturally start spending less time near the fence. Once they adjust, the calf is fully separated and moved to its new location.
Another method is two-stage weaning. Here, the calf stays with the cow, but about 7-14 days before full separation, a nose flap is placed on the calf to stop it from nursing. This allows the calf to gradually adjust to not nursing while still being close to its mother. After 7-14 days, the calf is separated and moved away from the cow.
Both fence-line and two-stage weaning reduce stress by allowing the calf to spend more time eating and resting and less time walking and vocalizing (bawling). While these methods can be more time-consuming and require extra effort, they can make the transition easier for the calves. The best weaning method for your operation is the one that aligns with your resources and goals.
3. Implement Effective Weaning Nutrition
Good nutrition is crucial for your calves’ success during weaning. While grazing on grass is an option, it’s important to supplement their diet, particularly when late-season grasses are low in protein and energy.
Here’s what you can do:
Start Feeding Early: Get your calves on feed as soon as possible. The longer they go without eating, the higher the risk of setbacks and a weakened immune system.
Begin with Familiar Foods: In the first few days of weaning, offer clean, high-quality grass hay. This is something calves recognize and are comfortable eating.
Use a Palatable Feed Additive: To encourage them to eat, consider adding a highly palatable supplement like Ralco’s Fight Strong Pellet. This additive includes patented Microbial Catalyst, Microfused Essential Oils and Actifibe Prebiotic, which help calves get on feed quickly and boost their immune system during this critical period.
Feed Regularly: Offer feed at least twice a day. This not only stimulates their appetite but also helps you spot any calves that aren’t eating well. Ensure they have easy access to clean water which is crucial for digestion.
For Dry Lot Weaning: If you’re weaning in a dry lot, you can choose between feeding grass hay or a total mixed ration (TMR). When using a TMR, start with more grass hay and gradually introduce concentrates, feed additives and fermented feeds like silage and corn. This gradual transition helps calves adjust and prevents digestive issues like acidosis.
Introduce New Feeds Early: Whenever possible, introduce new feed sources before weaning. This helps calves become familiar with them and reduces stress during the transition.
For a real-world example, watch the video below to see how Ken and Mary in Ree Heights, South Dakota, use Fight Strong to reduce stress, get their calves eating quickly and keep them healthy during weaning.
Keep your calves healthy and on feed with Fight Strong! Learn more or buy now to support your calves during weaning.
Fight Strong Pellet – For Weaning Calves
Fight Strong Pelletis a natural pelleted feed additive that gets livestock eating and helps support immunity and digestive function during times of stress.