Prepare calves for early weaning
Calves can be weaned earlier than the traditional age of eight weeks. Six weeks is an attainable goal for most calf managers. However, some can be ready to wean as early as 30 to 35 days old, says Jud Heinrichs, Penn State University professor of dairy science. Here's how to get your calves ready for earlier weaning:
Offer free-choice, high-quality starter at one to two days of age.
Make sure calves are eating starter by five to seven days of age. If not, show them how.
Know how much grain intake it takes to make 1.5 to 2 pounds of gain, so you can note when calves are eating that amount for three to five days consecutively.
Once calves reach that intake level, they are ready to be weaned. Remember to offer free-choice water throughout this process and keep health protocols up-to-snuff. For more details, http://www.das.psu.edu/user/dairy/newsl ... newsID=798
Calves can be weaned earlier than the traditional age of eight weeks. Six weeks is an attainable goal for most calf managers. However, some can be ready to wean as early as 30 to 35 days old, says Jud Heinrichs, Penn State University professor of dairy science. Here's how to get your calves ready for earlier weaning:
Offer free-choice, high-quality starter at one to two days of age.
Make sure calves are eating starter by five to seven days of age. If not, show them how.
Know how much grain intake it takes to make 1.5 to 2 pounds of gain, so you can note when calves are eating that amount for three to five days consecutively.
Once calves reach that intake level, they are ready to be weaned. Remember to offer free-choice water throughout this process and keep health protocols up-to-snuff. For more details, http://www.das.psu.edu/user/dairy/newsl ... newsID=798
