Cow Calf: Evaluate Weaning Options

Historic management practices have evolved because they fit -- fit the cattle, fit the forage supply, and/or fit available labor and management. But sometimes it pays to stop and look at alternative ways of doing things, either because the underlying situation has changed (short or long term), or because new information is available. One area that might benefit from periodic review is the timing and management of weaning calves.

"Early" weaning of calves takes in a fairly broad range of practices, and is often considered when forage supplies are, or are expected to be, in short supply, when hay costs are high relative to grain, or in response to seasonal changes in the market for weaned calves. Research shows that early weaning may also be justified by subsequent feedlot performance, or improvements in dam body condition and reproduction.

Calves can be weaned to dry feed as early as 45 days, but the rumen will be more fully functional after 60 days. Weaning calves at this young age requires a fairly high level of management to ensure that they adapt to the feed and water supply, and avoid health problems. Overall, more harvested or purchased feed will be required for the calves. On the other hand, programs such as this allow for maximum impact on herd reproduction, as well as significantly reducing feed requirements for the cows. A study at Oklahoma State University compared traditional weaning to weaning calves between 6 and 8 weeks of age; results are summarized in the table.

Management for these extremely early-weaned calves is particularly important the first 7 to 14 days. The ration must be palatable and energy dense, yet contain enough good long-stem hay to facilitate rumen function. Liquid supplements can help stimulate intake, and reduce dustiness and sorting. Total intake will probably only be .5 to 1.5% of body weight at this time; placing feeders and waterers where the animals will encounter them while walking fences may help, as well as including 1 or 2 older, adapted calves in the group. Calves that were creep fed should take to the dry ration more readily, especially if the two feeds are similar, i.e. creeping with a lick tank, then using a molasses-based supplement in the bunk. Start these young calves in small pens, with shelter. It can be difficult to manage a vaccination program at this point, since the calves are still under the influence of the antibodies received via colostrum. Ionophores, coccidiostats, and implants are normally important management practices. Be sure stressful treatments, such as castration and dehorning, take place at least two weeks prior to weaning. The local veterinarian needs to be involved in planning preventative health strategies for these calves. Once the calves are settled, and intakes stable, they may be combined into larger groups, and the concentrate level of the feed gradually increased to 50-80% of the ration dry matter.

A practical application of this very early weaning may be to apply the practice to first-calf heifers, increasing their odds of rebreeding and maintaining body condition. One study showed an increase in rebreeding rate from 59% to 97% when heifers were early weaned, with average days to conception dropping from 91 to 73.

Weaning calves at 100-150 days of age is probably a viable option for a greater number of beef producers. This allows the forage supply to stretch further and results in improved fall cow condition. By the traditional weaning date, calves are ready to perform well on high quality forage, such as wheat pasture, or in the feedyard. Gains in the post-weaning period should be similar than those seen in calves of the same age that remain on the dam: 2 to 2/12 lb per day. This practice also allows sending cull cows to market when prices are traditionally higher. Historic thinking said that fed calves would later do poorly in the feedlot. Recent research shows that when calves are managed properly, and never moved back to low or moderate energy diets, they may actually outperform traditionally-managed, yearling cattle. The University of Illinois has focused much attention in this area, demonstrating a 30% increase in carcass grades of average choice or above in cattle that were early weaned. This was accompanied by a slight increase in carcass weight, an increased rate of marbling, and a decreased rate of backfat deposition. These animals tended to initially gain more efficiently, but then decreased their efficiency during the final feedlot stage--something you would expect as increased intramuscular fat was being deposited. Overall, early weaned calves were significantly more efficient than yearlings.

A number of factors should be considered when evaluating weaning options: cattle type, genetic potential, and condition; forage quality and availability; hay availability and cost; facilities and management available for calves; current and expected market conditions; when and how you expect to market the calves. Success with traditional or early weaning programs hinges on genetics, health, and nutrition. Appropriate supplementation is critical for both cows and calves, and in many cases liquid feeds can provide the needed nutrition in an economical, practical, and convenient way.

Source: Dr. Cathy Bandyk, Quality Liquid Feeds