Another variable in weaning is when you wean. A protocol that works in August may not in October through mid November here. We used to do at least 80% in October. Also if it is dusty and wide temperature swings it stresses them more. Under stressful conditions is where we really see the benefit of stress tubs and when we’ve had more issues using the MLV. I have talked to vets, buyers and breeders who have stated that each breeder has to formulate a protocol that works for them in their conditions and during the time period they prefer to wean.
Weaning protocol
- Thread starter elkwc
- Start date
I don't do true fence line weaning. We have pastures on 3 corners of an intersection: central pasture, east 80, west 80. Gates are located on each corner. Calves are worked & loaded in the central pasture then trailered to the west 80. (bred heifers are in the east 80) They can see & hear their mamas from across the road, but I rarely have one get out anymore because I reinforced the corners of the west 80 with cattle panels in addition to barbed wire. The calves will congregate in the corner, but they have to move into the pasture for water and when I feed. The mamas will essentially take turns, congregating in small groups in the other corner. Bawling typically only lasts a few days before the calves start exploring the rest of the pasture.
I check my herd every morning and feed cubes year 'round (but only sporadically in the summer). My calves start eating cubes with they're a few months old, so I don't need to creep feed, and it makes the transition to weaning easier. They're already bunk broke and used to me walking around them (and petting them, hand-feeding cubes).
The actual weaning process is relatively easy and without problems (generally). Seems like if I have a calf or calves that get sick, it's not until about 3 weeks post-weaning. Not sure why. But I always have a couple bunks inside the corral, a few about 20 ft away, so it's convenient if I do need to treat for pneumonia or whatever ails them.
I check my herd every morning and feed cubes year 'round (but only sporadically in the summer). My calves start eating cubes with they're a few months old, so I don't need to creep feed, and it makes the transition to weaning easier. They're already bunk broke and used to me walking around them (and petting them, hand-feeding cubes).
The actual weaning process is relatively easy and without problems (generally). Seems like if I have a calf or calves that get sick, it's not until about 3 weeks post-weaning. Not sure why. But I always have a couple bunks inside the corral, a few about 20 ft away, so it's convenient if I do need to treat for pneumonia or whatever ails them.
Dave
Well-known member
That sick calf weeks after weaning is from the incubation time. They get stress. A bug gets to working in their system. It takes time for the infection to develop to the point where it becomes noticeable. Especially in a strong healthy calf. That is one of the reasons a calf weaned only 10-12 days will sell for less than a bawling calf. And the reason they want calves weaned 45 days.
GoWyo
Well-known member
Either sell bawlers so the buyers can run their receiving protocol or sell 45 days weaned and straightened out. The calf weaned 7-21 days is the one to watch like a hawk.
Dave
Well-known member
My calves have been weaned for 24 days. I had to treat one for an eye yesterday and another one this morning. 5 cc's of Draxxin from the dart gun.
Been told by vets any sickness after 30 days has little if anything to do with weaning. An old barn owner where we sold told me with our weaning protocol, the reputation of our calves and the fact they were on the Vita Ferm stress tubs they would sell just as well as 45 days and they did several times. I talked to him, other barn managers and other vets. We all remember when the weaning before selling started it was 21 days, then 30 days, then 45 days, then 60 and now some say 90 days. The consensus was anything over 30 days has little to nothing to do with weaning. It has more to do with a breeder putting more age on them. We have tried weaning up to 90 plus days. Our experience is the buyers don’t want to pay enough extra to justify it.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
At 90 days weaned they are usually gaining weight good.
farmerjan
Well-known member
We find that the 30-45 days weaned is enough to garner any "weaned" premium... ours are normally 45-75 days.... like to hit that 45-60 day mark because they are starting to really get on the feed good and gaining... and any problems have been ironed out after 20-30 days. Agree that after 30 days, if they get sick, it is not from weaning stress..
We are having a little pinkeye problems now in a couple of cows... it is so dry here that think it might be some from dust problems.... flies are really bad lately. Not having too much trouble with the calves anymore at pasture... had quite a few a month or so ago...
Thank the drug companies for Draxxin, and for the dart gun I bought son a few years ago...
We are having a little pinkeye problems now in a couple of cows... it is so dry here that think it might be some from dust problems.... flies are really bad lately. Not having too much trouble with the calves anymore at pasture... had quite a few a month or so ago...
Thank the drug companies for Draxxin, and for the dart gun I bought son a few years ago...
Good to know, thanks. It's always been weird if I see one of my biggest steers or heifers get punky after 3 weeks. My calves are weaned a minimum of 45 days but generally closer to 60.
I'm ready to get a scale so i can track the numbers. I book marked those ones you talked about.
We usually always see most of our sick calves in the 10-15 day range. Very seldom do we see any after 21 days. When we do it is usually quick pneumonia.
When we wean calves we shoot for around 1 3/4-2 lbs per day. We are usually at that rate of gain in 20 days or less.The way we handle our calves before and after weaning is different. We continue too feed the same cubes the cows are fed. Only in a 3/8” cube. Any changes in ration is done gradually and usually after 21 days. I try to avoid any changes that might knock them off feed. Since we have changed to current protocol the gains have increased and sickness almost zero.
When we wean calves we shoot for around 1 3/4-2 lbs per day. We are usually at that rate of gain in 20 days or less.The way we handle our calves before and after weaning is different. We continue too feed the same cubes the cows are fed. Only in a 3/8” cube. Any changes in ration is done gradually and usually after 21 days. I try to avoid any changes that might knock them off feed. Since we have changed to current protocol the gains have increased and sickness almost zero.
I really think I saw the best results with the self feeder. We have done some since feeding by hand and it's not near as consistent. People can't make it, it's later, it's earlier, etc... and that includes me. We just don't get the consistency like with the self feeder whre it is always there when they need it, consistently.
I usually feed with the feeder on my feed truck. I feed twice a day and try to remain on schedule. Know several who use the self feeder. I feel continuing to feed the same ration is important.
There are too many other temptations in this world for me to be that consistent feeding cattle.
I fully understand. We don’t have a large self feeder. Most years we wean and run them on short wheat when we have it and cake once a day. If we have no wheat we have run them on grass. Free choice wheat hay and feed twice a day. This year we will likely only wean replacement heifers and a few bulls we retained. Like to control the amount each gets as I don’t want to get either too fat. The rest will be sold off the cows. Can’t make it pencil out.There are too many other temptations in this world for me to be that consistent feeding cattle.
mwj
Well-known member
Hand feeding and watching them come to feed makes it much easier to spot that calf that is a little off.
