The weaning process, a pivotal period in the cattle business, is upon us once again. As any seasoned rancher will attest, it can be both magical and challenging. Weaning, a shared experience that can be stressful for both the cattle and the rancher, is a crucial step in the journey of cattle rearing.
Stress in cattle is a complex issue that can significantly impact their health and performance. It can be displayed by various signs, including increased vocalization, reduced feed intake, and abnormal behavior such as pacing. The issue with stress is that it can lower the immune system’s ability to fight off diseases, making the calves more susceptible to health issues. It may not seem like much, but it can reduce daily gains, increase health problems, and even cause death. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand and manage stress effectively during the weaning process.
Regardless of your weaning strategy, your role as a rancher in maintaining your calves’ performance is pivotal. Taking proactive steps to reduce stress can significantly decrease the chance of illness. Preparing calves before separating them from their mothers can yield benefits that are well worth the effort. Here are three actionable steps you, as a rancher, can take to help your calf crop wean successfully.
Develop a vaccination program.
Working alongside your veterinarian, you can develop a comprehensive vaccination program for your ranch. This program should include vaccinations for common diseases and preventive measures for stress-related health issues. The immune system can be compromised during times of high stress, like weaning, so having a robust health plan in place is crucial. Many veterinarians recommend doctoring as well as castrating, dehorning, and branding sometime before weaning to minimize stress and enhance the effectiveness of the vaccines.
The reason for this is that it will reduce the amount of stress that your calves will be going through. By reducing stress, their immune systems can respond better to your vaccines.
It is also important to remember to handle your vaccines properly. Even the best vaccines and antibiotics will not do you any good if they are not managed and administered correctly. Suppose you are looking for ways to keep your vaccines effective. In that case, I discuss that in a previous article, “7 ways to keep vaccines effective.”
Introduce the proper diet early.
It would be best if you introduced your calves to their post-weaning diet before it comes time to wean them. Doing this gives them a chance to “get used to it” while they are in familiar surroundings. Doing this will mean that they will recognize what is in the bunk as food earlier. Recognizing feed earlier will reduce any potential weight loss that could occur.
When you start providing their future diet, the first thing to remember is that it is appropriate for their age range. You do not want them to be fed a diet that is heavy in grains and concentrates if they are only used for forage. Introducing the heavier stuff too early can cause digestion issues that you want to avoid dealing with.
If you are providing forages, why would you not make sure that it is the correct quantity? Using forages that are of high quality is also essential, but that goes without saying. One trick you can do is place the bale along the fence. Much like with the feed bunk, placing the bale along the fence will ensure that the calf runs into it. This location will entice them to take some bites out of it as they are pacing the fence line.
Importance of water
During the weaning process, ensuring your calves have access to clean, fresh water is not just important; it’s necessary. This need is particularly crucial as they are going through a stressful time and the warmest time of the year. Having water readily available for them is an absolute must. Like with the feed, you should have the water trough placed perpendicularly along the outside fence of their pen, making it easily accessible for them.
Another tip for you here is that the water trough you will be using should look similar to the one in the pasture. Like most animals, cows are very visual animals, so seeing something they recognize easily can be a godsend. By using something they are familiar with, they will automatically know that it is where they can get something to drink. Recognizing it will reduce any questioning on their part, and they will go to it. If you cannot have the same trough, then you can set it to where it will overflow a little to have a trickling sound.
Weaning before you move them
Since most of the stress that occurs during this time is their separation from their momma, there is a way you can reduce that. It would help if you weaned them before moving them to a new place. After you have done this, you can move the cows to a different location if you so choose.
Moving the calves to wean can be a source of significant stress, which can lead to various health issues. Not only will they have to deal with the stress of being separated from their mom, but they will also have to find a new food source. This stress can lead to reduced daily gains and increase the risk of diseases. Therefore, it’s crucial to take steps to minimize this stress and ensure their health and well-being during this critical period.
The critical strategy during weaning is to break the dam-young bond, which is the strong emotional bond between the cows and their calves. This bond is typically broken by separating the cows and calves as far away as possible. However, there is an alternative approach that can be equally effective and less stressful for the animals.
A study conducted by Penn State in 2003 shed light on an alternative approach to breaking the dam-young bond during weaning. The study found that leaving cows within the hearing range of their calves can influence the adaptation period. Calves left within hearing distance showed fewer signs of distress by three days after weaning compared to those kept entirely out of hearing range, which took an average of 6 days to show any reduction of distress. This alternative approach is not just a theory, it’s a proven method that can be equally effective and less stressful for the animals, giving you confidence in its effectiveness.
In conclusion
By being aware of the stresses your calves will face during weaning, you can help them start strong after this period. This knowledge allows you to plan in advance to handle the challenges better. Implementing these methods and precautions in your place will go a long way to reducing the stresses that generally occur, giving you confidence in the effectiveness of these strategies.
The quicker your calves adjust to their new routine, the faster they grow and the healthier they will be.
