Weaning 2017

[lithuanian farmer]

Have weaned some calves today and it's the first time ever when we weighed weaned calves. Have weaned 15 calves: 7 bulls, 8 heifers. One bull was 11months old, 859lbs, others were from 6months 3 days up to 7 months 10 days age. the youngest bull weighed 518lbs, the smallest was 507lbs at almost 7 months. Other weights were 555.5lbs, 597lbs, 655lbs and 685.6lbs.
One heifer was 8 months and 19 days old, 606lbs. Others were from 6months up to 7months 4days old. The youngest weighed 478lbs, the smallest was 456lbs at 6.5months age. Other heifers weights were 509lbs, 487lbs, 518lbs, 566.6lbs and 577.6lbs.
It was very interesting to see how much calves have weighed. Almost all behaved very calmly.

The boys.

The girls.

 

[jedstivers]

Very nice.

 

[Supa Dexta]

From there I like to work out the ADG, and/or WDA. Tracked year over year it really shows which cows are putting out. Also monitor calving interval.

I have a spread sheet made up that calculates it all for me, once I input calves at birth, and then their weights at weaning.

 

[A.J.]

Good looking bunch. What do you all do with the ones you're not keeping for replacements? I didn't know if you kept them and fed them out yourselves, or if there was a feeder market over there.

 

[lithuanian farmer]

We already have counted their ADG since birth. It's not very accurate as we had very harsh spring and their growth was much slower at that time, but still. It's the second year when we have scales and have weighed only heifers and bulls a couple months before selling or breeding. Have several notebooks with calving records, weighs, etc.
Bulls are sold to the meat factory when they have over 705lbs deadweight and some fat cover. We feed all heifers the same for now, but some are left as replacements and some are sold to the meat factory for meat export to abroad when they have ~570-660lbs deadweight.

 

[Nesikep]

Nice calves.. I'm probably about a month away from weaning

 

[cow pollinater]

I sure like seeing those meatwagon calves.

 

[lithuanian farmer]

Thank you. Will have ~15-16 to wean in a month or two. They should show better weights, I guess.

 

[creekdrive]

Looking good! Nice thick, meaty calves.

 

[lithuanian farmer]

Thank you.
Some calves for weaning in October.

 

[lithuanian farmer]

Sorry, haven't done an update in a while. So, all calves are weaned and have been put into sheds already.
The 1st weaned group has been weighed once more after weaning.
*Heifers have been weighed 15 days after weaning. All have gained some weight. The smallest gain was 13lbs, all others gained 33-48.5lbs. Average weight gain after weaning varied between 2.2-3.23lbs/day (excluding one with 0.88lbs gain). Not bad considering that they have been on hay for a week before turning them out on grass. In total +136lbs in 15 days from 8 heifers.
*Bulls from the same group have been weighed recently, that would make 72days after weaning. The one which was weaned at 11months weighed now 1181.7lbs, 4.47lbs/day WG after weaning. One bull has 2.77lbs/day wg, while others have 3.46-4.04lbs/day WG. Now the smallest weighed 767lbs, the biggest almost 9.5months old- 965.6lbs. In total 1889lbs in 72days from 7 bulls. Again, one week on hay and introducing meal slowly, later out on grass+meal twice a day.

The 2nd group of calves has been weaned too. No more weaning for this year. Calves were younger than the 1st group's, but slightly better growth,
*Heifers were from 5months 28days age up to 7months. Weight: 481-600lbs, weight gain since birth 2.04-2.58lbs/day. The biggest heifer is the black heifer in the photo. One heifer was from a first calver and weighed 412lbs. She definitely will be culled. Not sure why she is so small. She showed lots of potential, but just has fallen apart later. Her mom isn't a small cow too. Will give her a second chance and if her calf will be similar, she'll be gone after weaning. An orphan heifer weighed 481lbs, was a good thief.
*Bulls were from 5months 19days up to 6months 13days. Weighs - 505-665.8lbs, weight gain 2.14-2.756lbs/day since birth. The smallest bull calf is an adopted calf, the youngest too. The biggest calf 6months 11days old, his dam weighed 1309lbs this fall.
No more weighing until next year. All will be weighed in the spring when will go out on grass. The biggest bull from the 1st group will be sold in winter.

 

[jedstivers]

Please explain more of the "put in sheds for the winter".
I know in Europe cattle are housed in winter but do they come out at all if the weather is good? What is the weather like right now? Also how do you control sickness in a enclosed environment ?
Thx.

 

[lithuanian farmer]

Calves are in three walled sheds. The 4th open wall is closed with steel pen. They can't go outside, but no need really. Plenty of space, plus it's extremely wet outside and mud everywhere. They feel much better in a dry shed with a roof above their heads.
It's been very wet this year. Water everywhere, water "ponds" in some fields. And not much of warmth. Had some snow for the 3rd time yesterday this autumn. Only cows are still in the fields.
We only use antihelminthics for weanlings. Don't have any other problems so far.

 

[jedstivers]

Thanks

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Calves look super good.