Weaning Beef Calves

Agdex#:	421/23
Publication Date:	December 2003
Order#:	03-115
Last Reviewed:	December 2003
History:	New
Written by:	Barry Potter - Northern Livestock Specialist/OMAFRA

Table of Contents

1. Preparation
• Vaccination and Health Care
• Feeding
• Watering
2. Weaning
   • Fenceline Separation
   • Complete Separation
   • Two-Step Process
   • Early Weaning

Weaning time is a stressful period for the mother cow and her calf. Traditionally, some Ontario cow-calf producers wean calves the day they leave the farm, thus avoiding the critical attention required to ensure calf health and continued performance. Others wean calves on the farm as part of a complete pre-conditioning program, before backgrounding or sale. To lessen the impact of weaning on health and weight gain, producers can prepare calves for weaning and choose a weaning method that reduces stress.

Preparation

At least 4 weeks prior to weaning, vaccinate and dehorn calves, and offer a creep ration and water. As well, castrate all male calves. Focus on health, feed and water to assist calves during the weaning transition period.

Vaccination and Health Care

Plan your vaccination program in consultation with the herd veterinarian. Generally, calves should be vaccinated for the following:

• Respiratory diseases IBR, BVD, BRSV and PI3 — A combined vaccine for these respiratory diseases is often called a 4-way vaccine. Vaccines come as either modified-live or killed vaccines. Booster the vaccines 2–4 weeks after initial treatment, especially if using killed vaccine.
• HS (Haemophilus sommnus) — The HS vaccine prevents shipping fever.
• Clostridial diseases — There are several species of Clostridium bacteria that can cause disease in cattle, such as diarrhea and blackleg. The vaccine against this group of diseases is commonly referred to as a 7- or 8-way vaccine.

You may also want to use a control for worms, lice, warbles and other parasites, as research shows this improves performance.

During weaning, check calves at least twice daily for signs of illness. Identify and treat sick calves quickly. Consult your veterinarian for treatment protocols.

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Feeding

The nutrient content and palatability of forages and creep rations are important for calves during weaning. A high nutrient content in the ration allows the calf to get the amount of nutrients it needs per day as its rumen develops. Palatability ensures the calf will start to eat the feed.

A general rule is to feed a second-cut grass/legume mix hay with a balance of grain. An ideal grain mix for the weaning period contains a high percentage of oats and limited high-energy grains such as barley and corn. Test forages and grain mixes to be sure you are providing a balanced ration.

It is critical to ensure that calves can get to the feed. Setting up an area accessible only to the calves, and not the cows, is ideal for forages. A creep feeder is ideal for feeding grain mixes. In both cases, ensure all calves receive adequate bunk feeding space.

Calves will consume 2.5%–3.0% of their body weight in dry feed each day. Begin creep feeding at least 3 weeks prior to weaning to minimize stress and allow calves to be adjusted to solid feed.

Watering

Accessibility to plenty of good quality water is essential throughout the weaning process. Calves need adequate amounts of clean water to replace their mothers’ milk. After removal from their mothers, calves also need to replace the fluids they expire through their constant pacing and bawling. Have more than one water bowl to allow calves easier access to water. Waterers should be put in several places in the cattle yard.

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Weaning

There are several weaning methods for calves. Generally, the less stress there is on the calves, the better they will perform during and immediately after weaning.

Fenceline Separation

Fenceline weaning, where cows and calves are separated by a fence, has proven to be less stressful than complete separation. So they are familiar with the locations of water and feed, keep calves on the side of the fence that was their home prior to weaning. Ensure that the fence is secure enough to prevent calves and cows from getting back together.

Complete Separation

If the fenceline method is not possible, move the cows far enough away from the calves so that neither group can hear the other. Again, in an ideal situation, the calves remain at the location where they were prior to weaning and the cows are moved.

If the calves must be moved to a new location, pay more attention to the new environment. Place feed where calves can easily find and adjust to it. Put waterers in several places in the cattle yard.

No matter which separation method of weaning is selected, the environment should have areas that allow calves to stay dry and sheltered. Never confine calves in a barn that lacks natural light and fresh air. Dark locations with stale air are ideal environments for spreading disease.

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Two-Step Process

In the two-step weaning process, calves and cows remain together during weaning to reduce the stress of separation.

Step 1

Clip a reusable plastic anti-sucking device into a calf’s nostrils (without piercing the septum). This painless device blocks access to the cow’s teats, effectively preventing a calf from sucking while allowing it to remain with its mother. Calves wear the devices for 4–7 days.

Step 2

Separate calves from the cows and remove the plastic anti-sucking devices.

For more details about this method, refer to the information sheet Two-Step Process for Weaning Beef Calves available from OMAF and on the OMAF web site.

Early Weaning

If forages might be a limiting factor on the farm, consider weaning early. Many studies show that, per pound of calf gain, it is more cost-effective to feed a calf solid food than to feed the cow extra feed so she can produce enough milk to achieve the same calf gains. The weaning ration may be more expensive per tonne than cow feed, but calf intake at 4.5–6.8 kg/day (10–15 lb. per day) leading to gains of 0.9–1.4 kg/day (2–3 lb. per day) means weaning early can produce a lower-cost gain.

Preparing calves for weaning and selecting an appropriate weaning method will help calves adjust to a change in diet and manage the stress associated with the transition period. Make effective preparation and low-stress weaning a part of your management program to reduce the impact of weaning on calf health and weight gain

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