fenceline weaning

West: Options for weaning calves

August 22, 2024

As the summer heat gives way to crisp fall days, we move into the time to ship calves to their next destination. Before they go, weaning them from their mothers needs to take place. Weaning can be achieved using multiple methods, all with different pros and cons, and can be tweaked to fit your operation and its goals.

Weaning considerations

Several proven methods for weaning exist. Consider all the pros and cons before determining which approach is best for your operation.

August 13, 2024

Megan Van Emon

It’s never too early to start planning for weaning. Several factors play a role in making weaning management decisions, such as drought, cow body condition, pasture conditions, weaning weight, calf sale contracts, labor and many others.

Nutrition strategies for calves after weaning: Maintaining a healthy gut

The days and weeks immediately following weaning are among the most crucial times in a beef animal’s life. Set your calves up for success with a carefully crafted nutrition plan.

August 2, 2024

Cadra Krueger

Successfully weaning and starting calves on feed can be a rewarding time of year for producers and sets the calf up for future performance. However, the most common time for a calf to contract BRD is within the first four weeks postweaning.

Midwest/North: Tips for weaning time

August 24, 2021

Travis Meteer

Reducing stress at weaning is one of the biggest opportunities to improve your cattle business. No matter what system you choose, paying attention to potential stressors can help improve the welfare, health and gains of cattle.

Poll: Ranchers prefer fenceline weaning

September 14, 2020

As fall approaches, most spring-calving herds are approaching weaning season. For calves, weaning can be more or less traumatizing depending on how it is handled by producers.

West: Low-stress weaning strategies can improve calf performance

October 24, 2019

Matthew Garcia

Weaning is quite possibly the most stressful time in a calf’s life. During this process, calves are subjected to a variety of stressors including removal from their mothers, new diets, processing (vaccination, dehorning, castration, etc.) and possibly even new pen or pasture environments.