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STOCKTON, Mo. – “For cattle producers who retain their calves after weaning, calf performance is crucial for a successful operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
With tight margins, optimum performance while minimizing costly problems is essential. Strong postweaning performance also boosts reputation and can increase future demand and value for calves sold at weaning. Davis discusses preweaning management strategies to help achieve optimal postweaning performance.
“Handling stressful tasks before weaning helps calves achieve better performance after weaning,” says Davis. Dehorning and castration are among the most stressful experiences for calves. Davis recommends dehorning at breeding by choosing a polled service sire, which naturally lacks horns. Still, if calves do develop horns, they should be removed as early as possible. Similarly, castrating bull calves is stressful, so it’s best done when they are young to lessen its impact on their performance. Both practices have traditionally increased calf value at sale time and should be completed by three months of age to ensure minimal effects on performance.
“Health and vaccination programs help calves develop a proper immune system for success before and after weaning,” says Davis. Davis recommends consulting your veterinarian to create a tailored herd health plan that supports optimum calf health pre- and postweaning leading to optimum calf performance. MU Extension publications G2104, Vaccination Program for a Cow-Calf Operation, and G2044, Herd Health Programs and Reproductive Efficiency of Beef Cattle, outline frameworks for establishing effective cattle health and vaccination programs.
“Ionophores and implants are cost-effective methods for increasing calf weight,” says Davis. For breeding replacements, implants should be avoided due to their potential negative impact on the reproductive tract. Conversely, calves destined for feedlots and eventual slaughter can be implanted both while still nursing and post-weaning, provided the benefits remain applicable.
Davis recommends consulting with implant companies to determine the most appropriate implant program for your operation. Ionophores such as Rumensin and Bovatec, when used in daily postweaning supplementation, improve weight gain, feed efficiency and aid in controlling coccidiosis, which impairs calf health. Cattle producers are encouraged to select the product that best matches their needs and administer them according to label directions. Additionally, other feed additives administered after weaning may enhance calf health resulting in improved performance. Consult your veterinarian to determine which feed additives your operation may need.
“Low-stress methods like fenceline weaning lead to better calf performance after weaning,” says Davis. In this approach, cows and calves are acclimated to the weaning pasture before separation, making the process less stressful for calves. Furthermore, facilities need to be adequate so that the weaning process continues as cows and calves have fenceline contact, which helps reduce weaning stress. This method improves postweaning weight gain and decreases illness compared to cow and calf complete separation.
“If you keep your calves after weaning, their performance is crucial to your cattle operation’s profitability,” says Davis. Additionally, selling calves postweaning will impact your reputation based on their results: Strong performance can earn premiums, while poor performance may lead to lost income and lower profits. Davis encourages cattle producers to properly manage calves before and after weaning to help ensure the next owner has a positive experience, which contributes to a good reputation. For more information, contact your local MU Extension livestock field specialist.