Source: National Farm Animal Care Council, Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle Section 4.6
Weaning is the process of eliminating milk from the calf’s diet (44). Under natural conditions, a cow’s milk output decreases gradually over...
Source: Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Weaning can have a lasting impact on a calf. How a producer manages calves before, during, and after weaning can have a dramatic effect on overall calf performance and economic viability.
One of the most stressful...
Source: Pennsylvania State University
The most traumatic experience for cow-calf producers is when they wean their calves-and it is not real great for the calves, either. For the producer, it is about payday for the calf business. For the calf,...
Source: Mississippi State University Extension
Weaning is a major event in cow-calf management. Beef cattle producers have many options when it comes to deciding when to wean their calves. Because early weaning impacts both animal performance and operational profitability, knowing...
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Fact Sheet written by: Barry Potter – Livestock Specialist/OMAFRA
Introduction
Weaning time is stressful for the mother cow and her calf. Traditionally some Ontario cow-calf producers wean calves the day they leave the farm, thus...
Source: Michigan State University Extension, Kevin Gould and Jerad Jaborek
Ask two or more beef cattle veterinarians about weaning beef calf management, also referred to as preconditioning, and you are bound to get different recommendations for protocols to follow. This does not mean...
Source: Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Beef cows are amazing mothers, especially during periods of drought or excess moisture when pasture quality and/or quantity are limited. The cow will sacrifice her body condition and ultimately next year's reproductive performance...
Source: Montana State University
Megan Van Emon, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist
According to the United States Drought Monitor, approximately 57% of Montana is currently experiencing drought conditions. As the dry conditions persist, some ranchers may consider early weaning their calves. Early...
Source: University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science
In areas where forage quality is low and quantity is not adequate in summer and early fall, early weaning could be a management practice, especially for young cows...
Source: Iowa State University
As forage resources dwindle in times of drought producers may need to consider early weaning options for the cow herd. Early weaning is designed to save body condition on the females by ending lactation and decreasing...
