Beef Cattle Weaning Strategies Traditional Vs Wean Flap

How can we reduce stress and increase gain during weaning on the ranch?? Welfare Issues?

Types of weaning methods Fence line weaning 24 hour removal Nose Flap Abrupt

Fence Line Weaning

24 Hour removal Training calf and cow to be weaned. Removed from Dam 24 hours at least a week prior to weaning. Cows remain in area (fence line)

Abrupt

Nose flap

Wean methods results

ADG of weaning methods Burke et al. 2009 Treatment Day -7 7 SE Control   -7 7 SE Control 539a 557b 582c 6.15 Fenceline 531a 544b Nose-Clip 535a 540a 577b Burke et al. 2009

ADG Lambertz et al. 2014 Group n ADG 1st week (lb) Traditional 103   Traditional 103 1.63 ± 3.46 Male 50 1.60 ± 4.19 Female 53 1.68 ± 2.98 Two-Stage 89 1.65 ± 2.60 49 1.45 ± 2.71 46 2.40 ± 2.51 Lambertz et al. 2014

Disrciption of Irritation Score Disrciption of Irritation   After Removal After 1 Week No irritations visible 1 Slight irritations visible 2 Slight bleeding Little eschar 3 Heavy bleeding Much eschar 4 Pus Open wound 5 Deep purelent wound Open purelent wound 6 Nasal septum perforated fatal wounds present Lambertz et al. 2014

Irritations of the nasal septum immediately after removing the nose flaps of calves after 1 week Lambertz et al. 2014

Irritations of the nasal septum 1 week following the removal the nose flaps Lambertz et al. 2014

FRSU Wean Data

FRSU Wean Data

Be Prepared for weaning Clean open water source High quality nutrition program High quality hay and supplement Vaccination Program Small Grass Traps Remove from dust / mud