Managing Through Drought -Early Weaning
Eric Peterson, University Extension Agent, Sublette CountyWeaning calves early may become a necessary option when forage supplies are
limited as a result of drought conditions. Early weaning lowers the nutrient requirements
of the cow and increases the carrying capacity of stressed pasture, directly affecting the
forced sale or relocation of quality breeding animals. The management decision on the
proper time to wean directly affects the short and long term performance of the calf, the
cow and the pasture.
Weaning calves prior to the traditional age of 6-7 months can increase stress and reduce
calf performance if proper health, nutrition and management practices are not followed.
Conversely, weaning after pastures have severely deteriorated will also result in poor calf
performance. From the standpoint of the cow, the advantage of early weaning during
drought periods is usually reflected in less body condition loss and improved conception
rates. As body condition loss occurs in the lactating cow a general decline in milk
production normally follows. Overgrazing drought stressed pastures will have long term
effect on forage production by reducing plant vigor and increasing less desirable plant
populations.
How Early Can Calves Be Weaned?
Calves have been weaned successfully at less than 2 months of age, but this is younger
than is practical under most conditions. The rumens of calves are normally functioning
sufficiently at 120 days of age to provide satisfactory gains without the benefit of milk or
milk replacers. Therefore, weaning March and April born calves in late July-early August
is preferred to an earlier weaning date.
What Special Health Considerations?
The stress of early weaning directly influences the health and well being of the calf after
weaning. Castration, dehorning and branding should be completed at least 10-14 days
prior to weaning. Protection from clostridial and viral infection should be provided by
vaccinating calves prior to weaning with a seven-way clostridial injection, IBR-BVD
vaccines, and other veterinarian recommended protection. If a "booster" or re-vaccination
is required for any vaccine, it is essential that label recommendations are followed. To
minimize product losses due to injection site blemishes, all vaccinations should be
administered in the neck or shoulder region and not in the hind quarter. Monitor calves
regularly for signs of respiratory problems, digestive disturbances, scours, coccidiosis and
sorting of feed.
Prior to making the decision to wean early, producers should have made decisions
regarding the next step. Will the calves be retained and fed, or will they be marketed
early. This decision must include feed availablity, feed prices, facilities, and of course the
prices of calves. We will visit the historical trends in the cattle markets in future
installments.
In this drought year, where it is possible that the summer range will run short much
earlier than usual, and winter feed supplies are critically short and expensive, it may make
sense to wean calves early. The removal of this load, which might be as much as 40% of
the late summer demand on ranch feed resources. The decision must include biological
and economical variables and is not an easy one. However, it may make sense to many
producers faced either with herd reductions or purchasing extremely high priced forages
and supplements.
Thanks to Russ Danielson, North Dakota Beef Cattle Management Specialist who wrote
much of this material.