1. Pre-weaned calf management and weaning outlets
KJ Whitman, DVM, MS

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. Common Diseases of Calves at Weaning
Respiratory
Upper and lower
Digestive
Nutritional/Dietary
Internal parasitism
Musculoskeletal/lameness
External parasitism

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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: lb target weight
Time period: 3-12 months
Modest gains primarily through grazing: lb. per day

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

15. Replacement Heifers
What role can a veterinarian provide?

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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?

19. 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

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

21. Questions?