• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Why Join
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • TSCRA Partners
    • FAQs
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorships
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft and Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Young Cattle Raisers
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Disaster Relief Fund
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Co
    • Students and Youth
  • Events
    • Cattle Raisers Convention
    • Summer Meeting
    • Policy Conference
    • Ranch Gatherings
    • Ranching 101
  • Join
  • Member Center
  • TSCRA Store
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Weaning calves before auction reduces stress and could increase profits

Weaning calves before auction reduces stress and sets up cattle to perform better throughout the rest of their lives. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)
Weaning calves before auction reduces stress and sets up cattle to perform better throughout the rest of their lives. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

Spring-born calves will soon be arriving at auction markets, but producers should consider a weaning plan that will help keep calves healthier and happier, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist in Overton.
Dr. Jason Banta said weaning calves is the right thing to do and doing it correctly sets calves up to perform better for the rest of their lives. Weaning also gives sellers access to special preconditioned sales which may result in higher prices. Weaning makes the transition easier on the cow and calf.
“Weaning is a stressful event, so it’s better if you can do it at the ranch where the calf was born rather than it going through that process elsewhere,” Banta said.
Stressed calves can shrink 5-15 percent or more when moved straight from pasture to the auction market without weaning, he said. As a result, a 500-pound calf could easily weigh 450 pounds or less by the time it reaches the sale.
Separating cows and calves at between 6-8 months old is common. However, Banta recommends calves should be weaned earlier if the cow is below a body condition score of four. The weaning program should last 45 days before calves are moved and sold. He also recommends that on weaning day only the cow and calves are separated. It is better to vaccinate calves a few weeks before  weaning or even a week or so after weaning to minimize stress levels.
The location of the weaning process is a top consideration, he said.
Banta recommends fenceline weaning — separating cows and calves with a single fence. Ideally, calves should be kept on a pasture of between 5-20 acres, which makes management easier. Fenceline weaning is better because it keeps cows and calves in closer proximity so they can see, hear and smell each other, he said. It’s less stressful on the pair and will reduce bellowing and excess walking.
The chosen pasture should have shade along both sides of the fence, especially for calves, which will walk the fence. A good source of water should be close by as well.
Corrals can also be utilized though Banta said corrals allow disease to spread more easily if a sick calf is among the group.
“Putting calves in one pasture and the cows a couple pastures over will likely mean you’ll be rebuilding fences,” he said. “Some cows will go through fences to see their calves.”
Producers should plan ahead for grazing sources for calves. There are different options for forage to wean the calf. Calves can be placed on high-quality pasture without supplemental feeding. But if quality forage is not available, producers should seek dietary recommendations from a beef cattle nutritionist or AgriLife Extension experts.
Cottonseed meal is a good option for calves because it provides good protein, is palatable and is safe if one calf eats more than planned, Banta said. Providing one pound of cottonseed meal per day per head is a good place to start in many operations.
By utilizing a prescribed method of weaning producers can maximize a calf’s potential and subsequently their profits.
“It’s better on the calf and in the end can be better for a producer when that calf goes to sale,” he said.
Source: AgriLife Today

Written by:
kristin
Published on:
September 21, 2016

Categories: Animal Health, General

Recent Posts

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association announces 2023 Cattle Raisers Roundup

March 30, 2023

Application now available for youth educational program Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers …

Continue Reading about Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association announces 2023 Cattle Raisers Roundup

Crime Watch: Cow missing near Pickton

March 30, 2023

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Bo Fox, District 12 in Northeast …

Continue Reading about Crime Watch: Cow missing near Pickton

2023 Youth Photo Contest and Graduate Research Poster Showcase winners

March 29, 2023

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association held a Youth Photo Contest and Graduate Research …

Continue Reading about 2023 Youth Photo Contest and Graduate Research Poster Showcase winners

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
TSCRA Partners
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

Theft and Law
Issues and Policy
Education
Young Cattle Raisers
The Cattleman Magazine
Cattle Raisers Insurance
Cattle Raisers Trading Co.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Media Kit
Tip Hotline
Get Involved
Links

Membership

Membership Center
Membership Center Instructions
Join
Renew
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PO BOX 101988
FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

© 2023 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE