Five things to consider when weaning calves this fall 

There’s a method to the madness.  

In the High Plains region, many beef producers have spring calving herds—calves born January to March—and wean when the calves are about six to eight months of age. This helps the calves beat unfavorable weather in the winter months, and the cows have time to recover and improve body condition scores. 

Sandy Johnson, Kansas State University, professor/Extension specialist at the Northwest Research and Extension Center in Colby, specializes in reproductive physiology and cow-calf management. Johnson highlights her priorities when it comes to weaning calves. 

No. 1, take care of the cow first. 

“Take care of the cow to take care of the calf,” she said. “Appropriate vaccination program for cows to produce high-quality colostrum. Cow nutrient needs met throughout lactation, including trace mineral needs.” 

No. 2, start calves’ immunity before weaning. It’s important to have some type of preconditioning program, she said. 

No. 3, be smart when making management and husbandry decisions when it involves the calves. 

“Don’t combine high stress processes like castration, branding or dehorning with weaning,” she said. 

Nutrition is the fourth aspect for Johnson. Have a palatable, high quality (nutrient dense) ration to provide at weaning, she recommended. 

And No. 5, make sure the area where the calves are going to be living is appropriate. 

“(Make sure) the weaning pen (area) is cleaned, has appropriate bunk space and height, clean water, and dust control as needed.  

According to the Beef Cattle Institute at K-State, there are two times in the life of beef cattle that are the risky for disease or death and that’s birth and again after weaning. Co-mingling newly weaned calves adds even more stress as does moving them. 

There are several strategies that ranchers and veterinarians can utilize to reduce risk of disease associated with the changes that accompany weaning. Being thoughtful with weaning techniques can help ease the calves into a new environment and routine.  

“Low-stress weaning techniques do reduce the vocalization associated with weaning that can cause stress for animals and humans,” she said. “Measurements of pacing or other behaviors associated with abrupt weaning are typically reduced with low-stress methods.” 

There are short-term differences amongst the various methods that are generally not apparent after the growing or finishing phases, Johnson said. Fenceline weaning of calves that remain grazing where they are weaned, might show a benefit compared to drylot weaning and moving back to forage.  

“Management and marketing goals for the weaned calf should be considered when deciding on the best approach,” she said. 

Part of a successful weaning scenario can go back to proper hybrid vigor, as it benefits animal health and performance, Johnson said. 

“Work is underway on health-related genetic tests,” she said. 

As mentioned in her top 5, Johnson said nutrition is critical, especially since the intake on a weaned calf is relatively low and may be lower than desired for a period of time after weaning. 

“Having a palatable and nutrient dense ration is very important,” she said. “Local resources will drive the best approach to meet that goal.” 

She also mentioned in her list how important it is to build immunity in the calf before weaning stress.  

“Work with your veterinarian to plan a health program appropriate for your management and resources,” she said. “Exposure to the post-weaning ration and weaning environment before separation from the dam can be beneficial.” 

Weather also can prove challenging leading up to and during times of weaning. 

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as of Sept. 3, large portions of the High Plains region are facing varying degrees of drought. Lack of rainfall and hot temperatures are pushing environmental conditions to the max. Johnson said she’s heard reports of those producers weaning early because of drought and the livestock have been getting along better than expected.  

“Part of that may be the absence of the wide temperature swings that are observed later in the fall,” she said. “Acknowledging that we have had multiple periods of high temperatures this summer, dust is a concern, regardless of the time of year. Calves’ pacing increases dust movement, and they have greater exposure because they are closer to the ground. Placing bunks perpendicular to the fence line to interrupt movement and wetting down pens can be helpful.” 

Helpful aids

One aid that has been studied to help with weaning stress is the use of maternal bovine appeasing substances. This substance is a natural pheromone secreted by the sebaceous glands on a cow’s mammary skin to calm and comfort nursing offspring. 

According to Tom Smith, DVM, director of technical support at Fera Diagnostics & Biologicals, FerAppease is a topical product that can reduce stress on all classes of cattle. 

“While tens of millions of doses have been used on weaned calves, there are limited people who also apply it to the cows they are weaning the calves off with success,” he said. “Typically, we aren’t focused on weight gain in the cows so much as their comfort, behavior, and making sure they stay pregnant if they have a high value or vulnerable pregnancy.” 

FerAppease helps desensitize the limbic system of the brain, according to Smith, which reduces the production of cortisol and adrenaline—those hormones commonly associated with stress.  

Reducing stress at the beginning is a better approach than trying to deal with the aftermath, he said. 

“By doing this, FerAppease will ease the transition of the calves at weaning; helping them find water and feed faster and elevating their intakes during the transition,” he said. “More importantly, FerAppease has repeatedly been shown to improve rumination, ADG, and health.” 

Smith believes adding something like FerAppease can make sense for producers when margins are tight. There’s been university studies that show it’s more than the obvious benefits of animal welfare, behavior changes, and short-term weight improvements.  

“FerAppease has proven to consistently generate health and long-term weight advantages that pay the bills,” he said. “On average for every dollar invested in FerAppease the producer receives $15 in return, making this a no-brainer to add to any backgrounding, shipping, or receiving cattle program.” 

Smith suggested that even if producers aren’t preconditioning calves, it can be applied as they’re loaded on the trailer to help reduce shrink and keep the pounds on the calves. 

“This treatment reduces shrink by 75%, often resulting in 20-plus pounds of added sale weight per calf, a huge and fast return on investment,” he said. 

Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].