Where do calves go after weaning? Pathways for weaned calves and disease risks during the post-weaning phase

Spring calving herds-beef cattle cycle Breeding Branding Weaning Pre-calving Calves removed from dam-methods? About 6 months of age-what determines? About 4-5 CWT May be preconditioned May be vaccinated, medicated at this time What are the options for where this calf goes? WINTER SPRING FALL SUMMER

Overview of the (traditional) weaning process +/-PRECONDITIONING WEANING-VARIOUS METHODS CONTRACTING ORDER BUYERS AUCTIONS/SALE BARNS RETAINED OWNERSHIP REPLACEMENTS BACKGROUNDER/STOCKER DRYLOT GRASS COW HERD FEEDLOT HARVEST

Weaning methods Immediate Fence-line Nursing aversion tools Abrupt and movement away from home Abrupt and stay at home Fence-line Nursing aversion tools

Common Diseases of Calves at Weaning Respiratory Upper and lower Coccidia Nematode parasites IBK Lameness Digestive

Immediate Weaning How it works Disease risk Related to stress Trauma Abrupt removal from dam +/- preconditioning Truck or stay at home Direct placement in feedlot, backgrounding/stocker operations Heifer development Related to stress +/- travel Comingling Trauma Digestive disturbances

Fence-line Weaning How it works Disease risk Much lower stress Separate calf and dam by a fence-line No physical contact or nursing, but presence Usually a period of 1-2 weeks +/- preconditioning period Direct placement in feedlot, backgrounding/stocker operations Much lower stress Similar diseases but lower risk Digestive disease may be reduced if there is a transition diet present in weaning pasture

Nursing Aversion Tools How it works Disease risk Leave the calf with the cow Apply temporary nose ring to calf that is uncomfortable for the cow: 4-7 days She refuses to let calf nurse, dries up, calf is weaned +/- preconditioning, several handling steps, removal of nose ring at processing and movement to new environment Stress during handling periods, but perhaps smoother transition Similar diseases

Determining Weaning Time/Age Tradition 5-7 months of age Aug-Nov in spring calving herds Weather, pasture condition Early weaning due to drought Cow condition Cows are thin, calf removal gives cows more time to recover Marketing Opportunities may dictate earlier or later weaning times Replacement heifer needs, sales Alternative methods Leaving calves on cows through the winter-delayed weaning

Preconditioning How it works Disease risk Vaccination prior to separation- usually 2-3 weeks prior At weaning: +/- vaccine booster +/- Nutritional adjustments Direct placement in feedlot, backgrounding/stocker operations Better immunity at most stressful time point Similar disease risks, better management?

Post-Weaning Pathways: Direct to Feedlot Calves are weaned Young, lightweight, more risk Placed on a truck Shipped directly to feedlot-potentially contracted Live or video auction market Retained ownership Handling and receiving diet is critical Various strategies for reducing disease

Direct to feedlot: Disease Risks Diseases Stress of weaning and shipping Comingling-naïve animals Exposure to new environment Reduced feed consumption Previous management strategies BRD Coccidiosis Acidosis/diarrhea Bloat Behavior

Direct to feedlot: Disease prevention Medical Management Arrival vaccination Metaphylaxis Reduce stress-delay processing Preconditioning Creep feeding Appropriate receiving diet Pen management and monitoring

Post-Weaning Pathways: Backgrounding/Stockers Backgrounding: Dry lot/yards Preparation for the feed lot and finishing period Combines grazing, harvested forages with concentrate rations Ideal for lighter weight calves (~400 lb) Time period between entry into backgrounding situation to feedlot can vary

Post-Weaning Pathways: Backgrounding/Stockers Stocker/Yearling operations Similar or the same as “backgrounding” May utilize grazed forages more Supplemental feed requirements vary with forage availability and calf status Lightweight calf preparation for feed lot: 700-850 lb target weight Time period: 3-12 months Modest gains primarily through grazing: 1-2.5 lb. per day

Backgrounding/Stocker: Disease Risks Diseases Stress of weaning and shipping Comingling Exposure to new environment Pastures with toxic plants Other pasture pathogen exposure BRD Bloat IBK Coccidiosis Footrot Plant toxicity Other Parasites

Replacement heifers Selection of replacement females may occur before weaning or during backgrounding/stocker phase Selection based upon: Number needed Weight/growth Physical characteristics Can manage with steer calves on grass or retain separately May require additional vax?

Nutritional Management Don’t Rock the (Rumen) Boat! When do calves become ruminants? Options: Preconditioning-creep feeding Backgrounding/stocker-transition diets Entry into feedlot-receiving diets

Nutritional Management-Creep Feeding Allows for more gradual dietary transition Promotes the use of a bunk feeder Decreases demands on dam? Allows for administration of medication Required in times of inadequate forage Additional expense May not give any growth advantage Behavior issues? Promote dietary disease earlier on? Administration of feed-grade medication may be too late

Nutritional Management-Backgrounding/Stocker Stress management through forage consumption Familiarity Utilization of pastures Negative effects of nutritional stress are mitigated Opportunity to train to bunk and waterers before feedlot entry Allows for more growth and maturity Physically and immunologically Bigger into feedlot Less time on feed, less efficient?

Nutritional Management-Receiving Diets Calves May vary depending on history Primarily forage or forage-based TMR Gradual transition from forage to concentrate ration Yearlings May vary depending on history May be at higher risk for acidosis Adaptation is still required GOAL=FEED EFFICIENCY

Weaning process review +/-PRECONDITIONING WEANING-VARIOUS METHODS CONTRACTING ORDER BUYERS AUCTIONS/SALE BARNS RETAINED OWNERSHIP REPLACEMENTS BACKGROUNDER/STOCKER DRYLOT GRASS COW HERD FEEDLOT HARVEST

Questions?