Weaning Stress

Calves can be weaned any time after their rumens become functional Bottle fed calves can be weaned after one month of age Nursing cows are weaned between 3 and 8 months. Best to wean at an older age. 205-day weaning weight is sometimes calculated 48-hr calf removal Most calves are born in the spring and weaned in the fall

Veterinarians suggest: Vaccinations be given 3-4 weeks prior to weaning Before weaning: Castration, branding, dehorning Post-weaning diets or calf starter diets

A two-stage, low-stress method for weaning cattle

Calf Weaner Plastic Swinging- Arm Calf Weaner Kant Suk Weaner - Calf Size Calf Sucking Preventer Calf Weaner

Health is most vulnerable when arriving in a new environment Evaluate stress level Determine risk level (sale barn vs. off-farm)

Providing balanced and adequate nutrition before weaning Reducing stresses related to handling and shipping Purchasing source-verified cattle from herds with a known health history Vaccination calves pre-weaning followed by booster vaccinations at weaning Vaccinating calves at processing Castrating and weaning calves and allowing them time to acclimate to eating from a bunk prior to shipment Treating any calves that appear sick or have a fever as soon as possible

Depression, anorexia, and dull eyes = CHECK for Temp! Temperatures over 104 = early signs of BRD Clinical signs later: rapid/labored breathing, droopy ears, coughing, diarrhea, sudden death, staggering, and nasal discharge. Left untreated, Will die from asphyxiation.

Early recognition and treatment Can vary… A necropsy is recommended on all dead calves to confirm the diagnosis of BRD and to find out what viruses and bacteria are involved.

Advanced planning and careful attention Decreasing the risks Good nutrition Giving them time to acclimate Properly vaccinated Mass medication

Landeis, Rick. Personal interview. 31 Oct May, Cheryl. Cattle Management. Reston, Virginia: Reston Publishing Company, Inc, Jensen, Rue and Mackey, Donald R. Diseases of Feedlot Cattle. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, Febiger, QuietWean. QuietWean. 21 Nov Dec Haley, Derek. Reducing Weaning Stress in Two Easy Steps. 02 July Dec HOFFELT, JEFFREY. Home News Livestock News.Calves most at risk for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) post-weaning. 6 Oct Dec disease-brd-post/article_df6424dc-ef61-11e0-93ef-001cc4c002e0.html. McClanahan, disease-brd-post/article_df6424dc-ef61-11e0-93ef-001cc4c002e0.html Susan L.. Health & National Animal Identification System.. 5 Dec Filly, Shelby. Weaning Beef Calves.. 5 Dec pdf pdf Mathis, Clay P. and Encinias, Manny. Early Weaning Beef Cattle.. 5 Dec Stookey, Joseph M.. Alternate Weaning Strategies for Cow-Calf Producers.. 5 Dec