by OMAFRA Ag Rep Brian Bell
Weaning calves
Weaning calves prior to sale has benefits for both the seller and buyer. It is very stressful for calves separated from their mothers and put on a truck for a long ride to a stocker sale. Properly weaned calves adjusted to hay and a small amount of grain will shrink about five percent on an extended truck ride. Stressed out bawling calves lose much more on the same ride. These unweaned calves are then run through the sale ring still bawling. Stress means weight loss. Weight loss means lighter sale weights and reduced income for the seller. For the feedlot buyer excessive stress means increased sickness and even death losses.
Here are two ways to make the weaning experience less stressful. Fence line weaning:
First, place cow-calf pairs in the pasture the calves will be in following weaning so the calves become familiar with the fences and water sources. Second, after weaning, place the cows in the pasture adjacent to the calves so they cannot nurse the calves, but they can still see, hear and smell each other. This requires a good fence and side by side pastures. Page wire and electric work well when calves are trained to the electric fence. The key is to keep cow and calf separated. Bawling is greatly reduced when there is the opportunity for physical contact through the fence. Two step (nose flap) weaning: Use of a nose flap will minimize the stress associated with weaning. Flexible, lightweight QuietWean nose flaps prevent a calf from nursing, but allows it to graze and maintain physical contact with the cow. This form of weaning is removing the milk first. At 5 to 7 months of age there is limited milk available making the lost nursing less stressful. The cow-calf bond slowly separates over a few days, with the pair still together. These flaps are lightweight, non-invasive and made from a very flexible plastic. They are easy to apply. QuietWean calf weaners are typically left in calves for 4-7 days before separating the calves from the cows. The flaps can be washed and reused.
The nose flap system requires handling the calves to apply and remove the flap. This requires a chute and headgate for easy application.
