As a rancher, your role in the weaning process is not just crucial, it’s the linchpin of success. This is the time of year when you start to see the tangible results of your hard work, such as your breeding programs. The success of the weaning process, however, is still a question that lingers, and it’s in your hands to answer it.
What does success or failure mean when it comes to weaning? It’s a question that can only be answered by you, the rancher because success is defined by your individual production goals. This empowers you to determine what a successful weaning looks like in your operation.
There may be different ideas on how to wean your calves, but the goal is still the same. You want to wean every calf you have with the minimum loss to your crop. Getting your calves started on the right foot would be best to accomplish this.
Starting your calves off right is one of the most important things that you can do. Doing so will ensure the success of the calf’s lifelong production. The first 30-45 days after weaning are the most stressful in that calf’s life. In order to make their transition as smooth as possible, you will need to avoid three common problems: nutritional deficiencies, health issues, and social stress.
No weaning plan in place
When it comes to weaning, many people still need to have a plan in place. They pick a day with the best weather and just “wing it.” This strategy is similar to trying to hit a bullseye in the dark. You might get lucky and hit the target, but your odds need to look better. But as productive cattle producers, we are not looking for “some of the time.” What we are looking for is a consistent and predictable outcome.
Ask anyone who has worked cattle for any length of time, and they will tell you that things only go smoothly sometimes. A problem will always come up. It can be not having enough feed or not having the right amount of vaccines available.
Developing a weaning plan at least one month in advance is not just a good idea, it’s vital. This proactive approach will give you the confidence that you have everything in order, from ordering feed and medications to inspecting and repairing facilities. It’s about being prepared and in control of the weaning process.
The goal here is to plan it out so you can get your calves into the next production stage with the least stress possible. Speaking of taking care of your facilities…
Weaning facilities still need to be prepared.
The facilities you will use should be able to keep a calf from getting back to its mother and or keeping that cow from getting back to its calf, for that matter. This means having secure fences and gates, as well as separate areas for cows and calves. The facilities should also provide shelter, water, and feed for the calves.
The calf is already experiencing enough stress to be taken from an environment that it is used to and thrown into something completely different. You need to give calves a stress-free space with plenty of room and grass for them to roam. Since they have spent the first part of their lives out in the pasture, this gives them familiar surroundings.
Trough placement
Many producers put the feed bunks where it is easier for them to fill them rather than where it would be better for the calf to find it quickly. The general rule of thumb here is that you will want to place the bunks perpendicular to the outside fence of the calf pen. Setting the bunk like that is so that when the calf is pacing around, it will run into the feeder. This increases the chances of them beginning to eat and put weight on.
The placement of the water trough in the pen is also crucial. Like the feed bunk, you will want to place them on the outside perimeter of the enclosure. Placing them like that will be so they will run into them also. One tip is that if your cattle get their water from a trough, then you may want to use the same type of trough in your weaning pen. Using the same kind of trough will help because it is something the calf is familiar with and knows they can get water from.
Calf’s Nutritional needs
Ensuring the calf’s nutrition needs are met is a responsibility that falls on your shoulders as a caring rancher. It’s a crucial part of the weaning process. The calf is having a stressful enough time, being taken away from its mother. Not to mention, it is an unfamiliar environment to one without the security of its momma. It is never a good idea to start them off with a feed they are unfamiliar with.
The first problem with this is that they are less likely to eat it. This is simply because they know very little about the new feed. Introducing a new feed right off the bat can also cause different kinds of digestive problems. According to a study done by the Iowa Beef Center, it takes 1-2 weeks for the microbes in the rumen to adjust to new feeds.
Creep feeding
Think about creep feeding, a method where young animals are provided with supplemental feed while still nursing. This supplementing can be a beneficial strategy during the weaning process. When they are just arriving at the pen, give them something that they are familiar with. This familiar thing can be something such as creep feed, a supplemental feed provided to young animals while still nursing. Using creep feed will work only if you provide some creep feed to them while they are still with the herd. Suppose you are interested in learning more about creep feeding. In that case, I discuss them in a few previous articles, such as “Pros and Cons of Creep Feeding,” which outlines the benefits and drawbacks of this strategy.
Not providing creep feed does not mean your calves can’t succeed. You can start with a 90/10 mixture. Which means 90% of the feed is something they are familiar with, like forage. The other 10% is a new feed you want them to start eating eventually. Another thing to consider is to include any supplements you wish your calves to start eating eventually in this mixture. After you begin feeding the original mix every few days, you can decrease the original feed and increase the other. You will continue doing this in small steps until they eventually eat what you want.
If you are interested in learning more, I do cover this in other articles, such as “The Unconventional Guide to Weaning.”
