How long after weaning can I put calves back with mothers?

[Stripey]

Hello from newbie-ville.
I'm wondering how long after weaning it's safe to put heifers in the same paddock as their mothers, without the heifer trying to drink again (particularly if there's a new calf due soon)?
I know this probably isn't industry practice — I can't find an answer anywhere.
Thank you in advance for any responses.

 

[SRBeef]

Hello from newbie-ville.
I'm wondering how long after weaning it's safe to put heifers in the same paddock as their mothers, without the heifer trying to drink again (particularly if there's a new calf due soon)?
I know this probably isn't industry practice — I can't find an answer anywhere.
Thank you in advance for any responses.

I put mine back together at about 10-11 weeks. Mostly no problem at all. One or two of the heifers went back over to Mom looking for a bit of milk. One gave the calf a little bit of a kick and that ended any problem. I think 8 weeks would be a minimum. Experimenting myself. Good luck.

 

[dun]

We separate them for 6-8 weeks. Maybe fenceline weaning helps. We've only ever had one go back to trying and she would suck any cow/heifer that would stand still. She was good eating.

 

[Stripey]

Thanks — nice clear answers! Helps me a lot.

 

[Rod]

I recommend at leat 6-8 weeks, and if thats not long enoough you will know pretty quick.

 

[Caustic Burno]

We separate them for 6-8 weeks. Maybe fenceline weaning helps. We've only ever had one go back to trying and she would suck any cow/heifer that would stand still. She was good eating.

Sometimes never that they won't try and steal, I have had more incidences from heavily influenced Brammer cattle.

 

[novatech]

We separate them for 6-8 weeks. Maybe fenceline weaning helps. We've only ever had one go back to trying and she would suck any cow/heifer that would stand still. She was good eating.

Sometimes never that they won't try and steal, I have had more incidences from heavily influenced Brammer cattle.

I agree Caustic. I have seen some 2 year olds try a suck on anything available. I keep my Brahman heifers separate from the herd until they are yearlings. Haven't had a problem with any of them since.

 

[mnmtranching]

Brahmans sound like a total pain. :shock:
For normal cattle, the cow will dry up in about 6 weeks. After that the calf won't want to nurse and the cow won't want to let it. :cowboy:

 

[bigbull338]

i would keep them penned off 60 to 90 days.ive got beefmasters.an most of them kick the calf off the teat by 8 months old.ive never had trouble yet with 1 going back to sucking momma.

 

[Bez+]

Seems folks here have a lot more luck than I do.

Once separated I leave them that way until the cow has a new calf at side and is well bonded.

Even then probs can come

FolIow that 6 weeks or whatever advice and I will expect to see you coming up some day in the near future with this question:

How do I stop a weaned calf from stealing milk?

I bet there are over 1000 examples of this question on this board.

Why bother with the trouble?

Keep them apart.

If you cannot due to space - then in my opinion you are over stocked.

Regards

Bez+

 

[dun]

Seems folks here have a lot more luck than I do.

Once separated I leave them that way until the cow has a new calf at side and is well bonded.

Even then probs can come

FolIow that 6 weeks or whatever advice and I will expect to see you coming up some day in the near future with this question:

How do I stop a weaned calf from stealing milk?

I bet there are over 1000 examples of this question on this board.

Why bother with the trouble?

Keep them apart.

If you cannot due to space - then in my opinion you are over stocked.

Regards

Bez+

Must be really somthing living in a one size fits all, my way or the highway kind of world.
Different/simpler/easier managment doesn;t automaticlly translate to mismanagment

 

[Bez+]

Must be really somthing living in a one size fits all, my way or the highway kind of world.
Different/simpler/easier managment doesn;t automaticlly translate to mismanagment

Never said mismanagement - do not put words in my mouth

You deny there are not a lot of "how do I stop a weaned calf from sucking?"

See them all the time and you know it.

What I did say was you guys have a lot better luck than me

I am not as old or smart as you - but I do see those questions coming up - and I am certainly surprized at the short period of time for weaning and returning to the same field. Just looking for trouble.

So - is it you or me that is in a one size fits all world?

Bez+

 

[dun]

Never said mismanagement - do not put words in m mouth

You deny there are not a lot of "how do I stop a weaned calf from sucking?"

See them all the time and you know it.

What I did say was you guys have a lot better luck than me

I am not as old or smart as you - but I do see those questions coming up - and I am certainly surprized at the short period of time.

So - is it you or me that is in a one size fits all world?

Bez+

I know there are other ways of doing things. He asked how long and I told them how I do it. But I don;t shoot downer cows from calving at sunset the first day either.

 

[Bez+]

Never said mismanagement - do not put words in m mouth

You deny there are not a lot of "how do I stop a weaned calf from sucking?"

See them all the time and you know it.

What I did say was you guys have a lot better luck than me

I am not as old or smart as you - but I do see those questions coming up - and I am certainly surprized at the short period of time.

So - is it you or me that is in a one size fits all world?

Bez+

I know there are other ways of doing things. He asked how long and I told them how I do it. But I don;t shoot downer cows from calving at sunset the first day either.

Dun

You are looking for a fight tonight - not sure why - had a few perhaps?

I think your answer was incorrect - as was your answer on the shoulder question - I stated my piece here and you jumped.

And you jumped again when you came back with the downer cow - and yes I live by that rule - first loss is usually the best loss. You do not have to like it.

So do not get pizzed off when someone gives an answer that is not the same as yours. Or disagrees with your answer - you may have been here a long time but you are not God and you certainly are not as smart at times as you like to let on.

Tell you what old boy - I never stepped on your toes that I can think of but if you want you give me a shout on the phone and tell me off - you can skype me in Tiberias tonight - I never call myself but if you want me to look it up and make it public I will and you can call me and give me a blast of schitte or - you can call me on an overseas line - my number in Israel is 972 54 651 8099 - I think you have to start that whole thing off by dialling 011 or maybe it is 001 - but the operator will tell you. And yes that is my phone number here at this desk.

If not - then go to your corner and come out when you can behave.

Regards

Bez+

 

[Bez+]

Nearly 0200 Dun

I am off to bed - I need to get about three hours sleep - sorry you did not take me up - would have liked to have had that chat.

I may be on short delivery patrol tomorrow - taking a couple of female types - medical folks I think - up to Mt. Hermon and then back with no escort - so you have some time to think on it - I should be back by about 1100 this morning

Nite old boy

Bez+