Cow Calf: Pre-Weaning Management Considerations
10/20/2009 10:20AM
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Summer is winding down and soon beef cattle operations will be weaning spring calves. Below are a few management ideas that may help you through this process.
Plan for the weaning event itself. Health, nutrition and facilities are all important components of this process. It is important to have weaning vaccination programs implemented in an appropriate manner. Make sure you pay attention to the need for and timing of calf booster vaccinations. Feed intake is often very limited during the first week after weaning. To aid feed consumption, provide the same feed to the calves before and after weaning. Blends of by-product feeds work extremely well in these diets. I usually recommend hand-feeding a grain mix to have better control of feed intake.
Facilities require special attention. Inspect and fix facilities that may cause injuries to either the cattle or you. Drylot weaning pens should have clean, running water available at all times. Placing feedbunks perpendicular to the fence line will cause calves to bump into the bunks, and may reduce fence walking and increase feed intake. If you are pasture weaning, make sure the electric fences are in proper working order and carrying the appropriate voltage.
Make sure drylot pens are in good working order. Pay attention to how the pens drain. Fill, grade and shape to eliminate low areas that are prone to becoming mudholes. Pay particular attention to areas behind the feedbunks and around water sources. Forcing cattle to wade through belly deep mud to eat or drink greatly reduces rate of gain. Make sure waterer’s are in working order and that electric heating elements are operating properly.
When to wean calves. Many producers have a particular time they prefer to wean calves. Producers should look at grass supplies and body condition of cows as additional factors to consider when determining weaning time. Waiting too late into the fall after most of the fall pasture is gone and the cows have lost significant body condition means increased reliance on hay for the major feed supply for the cows. Nutritionally, there is usually not enough quality to add body condition to cows on hay alone. Weaning after cows have lost significant body condition means grain supplements must be used to increase body condition. Fall is an excellent time to cheaply add body condition to dry cows with stockpiled forage. Weaning earlier in the fall usually means cows don’t need to add as much body condition, so overall energy needs for the cow herd are reduced.
Source: Gene Schmitz, MU Extension Livestock Specialist