How to Wean a Beef Calf

Goals for weaning a beef calf include using techniques to reduce stress and achieve the best health and weight gain for the calf without causing detrimental effects to the cow. The method you select depends on various factors, including the health of the cow, availability of grazing and food, economic considerations and the season.

Things You'll Need

  • Weaning area
  • Quality food
  • Electric fencing (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide at what age to wean the calf. Choose an older age than the normal 7 to 8 months for fall weaning, when conditions allow the cow to graze longer, in order to help increase weight gain of the calf without losing conditioning or fertility for the cow, suggests F.M. Pate, director of the Agricultural Research and Education Center, Florida and W. E. Kunkle. associate professor, University of Florida.

    • 2

      Consider early weaning, at younger than 180 days, during limited foraging availability or when market tends and freight rates make it favorable. Also, evaluate the benefits of early weaning to help cows with poor conditioning from decreasing conditioning, weight and fertility rates, advises Max Irsik, assistant professor, University of Florida.

    • 3

      Ask your veterinarian to treat the calf for parasites, dehorn and castrate it approximately 3 weeks or more prior to weaning to allow the calf enough time to recover from the stress of the procedures. Make sure to give all vaccinations at least 2 weeks before weaning to give adequate time for antibodies to form and the calf to recover from any reactions.

    • 4

      Begin introducing foods to the calf to help ensure it adjusts to eating food and will eat after weaning without any delay.

    • 5

      Put the calf with the cow in the planned weaning area and provide food and water prior to weaning to help familiarize it with the area and reduce stress during weaning, suggests University of Tennessee Professor Clyde Lane, Jr.

    • 6

      Move the calf or the cow to an area where the calf cannot see or smell the cow for traditional weaning. Consider fence line weaning, with cow and calf separated by an electric fence to prevent nursing but allow contact, to reduce the stress of weaning, suggests Lane.

    • 7

      Make sure the beef calf receives adequate vaccinations, space, water and sanitation during weaning to assure a healthy weaning, advises Irsik.

    • 8

      Provide enough high-quality feed to achieve adequate weight gain. Discuss weight gain goals for your calf's breed with your veterinarian. Avoid low-quality food, such as straw, corn, soybean stubble or dusty grains, advises Irsik.