CALF_News_December_2020_January_2021

26 CALF News • December 2020 | January 2021 • www.calfnews.net M ost feedyards want cattle that can handle stress from being hauled several hundred miles and comingled with dozens of other animals. They want calves that can dodge diseases and other health issues thrown at them. Buyers will usually pay more for those calves. And if your ranch runs a well-planned weaning program that cultivates cattle that meet those needs and also perform at the bunk and the packer, your calves are likely on – or will wind up on – a feedyard’s list. Ron Gill, Texas A&MAgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, said there’s no doubt that good weaning and post- weaning management help producers get the most out of their genetics and animal health programs. Gill outlined different types of weaning programs during this fall’s Texas and South- western Cattle Raisers Association virtual convention. He emphasized the huge losses suffered by cow-calf produc- ers who do a poor job of weaning. Mistakes in weaning and post-weaning “costs between $800 million to $1 billion in lost production associated with bovine respiratory disease [BRD],” Gill said.“We need to reduce the chance of calves getting sick.” Calves are often weaned when they’re too light.“One of worst times to wean a calf is at 450 to 500 pounds,” Gill said. “The calf is still in transition from what it received from the cow to a high-roughage diet. Its immune system may not respond as well to vaccines. Keep calves on cows as long as pos- sible to make the weaning process easier. Don’t get forced into weaning earlier than needed.” Gill described several types of weaning strategies to consider. Abrupt weaning: This is typically the most stressful for calves. They are often stripped from their mammas and shipped to market the same day.“If they have milk bubbles on their lips when they get to the sale barn, there can be prob- lems,” Gill said. “This presents the greatest risk of respiratory and digestive illness in calves. There’s a 20 percent to 40 percent incidence of BRD and 2 percent to 20 percent death loss in these high-risk calves.” He encourages producers to take more time and provide feed for the calves after weaning.“They will be better if you can feed them at the ranch before sending them away,” Gill explained.“They likely won’t be as stressed when they are comingled.” Fence-line weaning: This practice can help ease stress on calves and their mothers. The calf is separated from the dam and suckling is terminated. However, there is still physical contact through a fence. “This can be done with calves in one paddock or pasture and cows in another,” Gill said.“Cows can also be in a corral and calves in an adjacent pasture. Fencing must be adequate to prohibit suckling throughout the fence.” Cows and calves are usually allowed fence-line contact for four to 14 days before one or both are removed to complete the separation.“For best results, the only thing that should be done the day of weaning is physical separation of the cows and calves,” Gill said. “Additional processing can increase the cow or calf ’s desire to go through the fence. It should be done quietly and smoothly,” Gill said.“The best technique involves letting cows walk quietly out of one pen or paddock and allowing the calves to go to the adjacent pen or paddock. Don’t make it a cutting horse contest. It doesn’t take long to sort cow-calf pairs.” Cows are often more stressed than calves in fence-line wean- ing.“But bigger calves don’t care as much,” Gill noted,“so it’s a good tool for them.” Nose flaps: This type of weaning involves inserting rubber nose flaps into the nostrils to prevent calves from nursing, but not grazing or eating feed.“The flaps keep the calf ’s tongue from getting around the teat. It breaks the sucking,” Gill said. Which Technique Is Best for You? By Larry Stalcup Contributing Editor WEANING FOR PROFIT TOP: Ron Gill, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist. ABOVE: Select a weaning program that fits your production and marketing plans.