Weaning Stress Calves can be weaned any time after their rumens become functional Bottle fed calves can be weaned after one month of age Nursing cows are weaned between 3 and 8 months. Best to wean at an older age. 205-day weaning weight is sometimes calculated 48-hr calf removal Most calves are born in the spring and weaned in the fall Time of weaning Calves can be weaned any time after their rumens become functional, that is, when their digestive system can process whole feeds. Bottle fed calves can be weaned after one month of age Nursing cows are weaned between 3 and 8 months. Best to wean at an older age. 205-day weaning weight is sometimes calculated This “205-day WW” is the calf weight adjusted for birth date and weaning date, and does not infer that calves should necessarily be weaned at that age. 48-hr calf removal. This temporary removal of calves from cow 48 hours prior to breeding has been shown to improve first service conception rates If forage is in short supply or cow body condition is low, calves can be weaned early (before 8 mo). This preserves cow energy reserves to allow for development of the new calf inside her and keep good shape for timely re-breeding after that calf is born Most calves are born in the spring and weaned in the fall This causes the supply of weaned calves to be highest in the fall. This high supply leads to seasonally low calf prices. Consider how changing calf weaning date can affect sale weight and price. Although weaning date may revolve around other routines, consider making weaning a higher priority. Studies have shown, that in times of forage shortages, it can be economical to wean calves early. In those cases, the cost of feeding early-weaned calves was more than offset with improved reproductive performance of cows that were kept in a body condition that favored efficient reproductive performance Veterinarians suggest: Vaccinations be given 3-4 weeks prior to weaning Before weaning: Castration, branding, dehorning Post-weaning diets or calf starter diets Preparation for weaning Veterinarians suggest: Vaccinations be given 3-4 weeks prior to weaning, an deworming be done after weaning. Lessens stress, improves immune response to the vaccines and anthelmintics Branding, castrating, and dehorning should be done well in advance of weaning Before weaning: calves are use to eating intended post-weaning diet (2 wks) - Primary use is to provide supplemental feed to nursing calves in order to increase weaning weight - Make sure post-weaning diet is appropriate for the age of calf, including forage quantity and quality, and contains a vitamin/mineral mix and plenty of fresh, accessible water. - Calf starter diet – either bagged or specially formulated feed QuietWean Almost no noticeable response at all Very quiet Pairs were physically seperated Reduced calling calves by 95% and walking calves by 60% A two-stage, low-stress method for weaning cattle What we did Went to shell Used an injection, pour on, and control substance for …? Flaps Goal was to increase weaning weight by reducing the stress on calves This way they were able to stay with their mothers, while they transitioned over to feed Folks watching saw the calves were finding ways to suckle When we took them out… Depeding on the calf size Some, bloody, pussy, or just fine Calf Weaner Plastic Swinging- Arm Calf Weaner Kant Suk Weaner - Calf Size Calf Sucking Preventer Calf Weaner In north America, calf weaners were sold at most hardware stores around the turn of the century and well into the 1930’s. these devices were strapped over the muzzle of the calf or held in place with nose tongs. - - Spiked muzzle -> kick the cow off suckling, less painful - “kant suck” – hinged muzzle cover -> cover the mouth while calf’s head was raised to the nursing position, but swung away while head was down in grazing or drinking position. Weaning strategies allowed the cow and calf to maintain close physical and psychological contact but they prevented suckling Other Weaning Strategies Fence line weaning- - cows and calves are placed on opposite sides of a strong fence. - Cows are moved and calves remain in initial pasture. - They have nose-to-nose contact, but spend the majority of time grazing away from the fence. - Fenceline visits gradually decrease over the first five days and the weaning process is complete within a week - Studies show that calves bawled less and gained more weight during the weaning process than with complete separation weaning. Traditional – - have cows and calves together in the place where the calves will stay. - Remove cows to a new location out of sight and sound from the calves. - Leave calves in familiar surroundings. - It is normal for cattle to bawl for several days Weight Change by Flap Treatment 40.875 = Flap 48.2709 = No Flap Calves most at risk for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) post-weaning Bovine Respiratory Disease. Commonly known as BRD or "shipping fever," BRD is most common and costliest problem in stocker or feeder calves. - shipping fever is a member of the triumvirate of respiratory diseases of feedlot cattle, Along with viral bovine rhinotracheitis and calf diphtheria BRD reducing average daily gain, feed efficiency and overall performance by calves. Stress and bacterial exposure to Infectious agents. The most probable viruses involved with BRD include: BVD, IBR, BRSV and PI-3. the grouping of lung illnesses can dramatically decrease a calf's productivity if not monitored. Occurs most often within 14 days after calves have been weaned. The losses are due to diminished body weight, high mortality rate, expensive treatments, and delayed marketability Increase level of risk: Castrated, handled, commingled, Movement through sale yards, poor body conditions, and transport over long distance,s Dehydrated, exhausted, and have a reduction in appetite the relationship to shipping fever of common environmental stressing agents Hunger, thirst, vibrations, loss of body heat, overheating, fear, fatigue and anxiety of transit and castration, dehorning, vaccination and weaning that may occur near the time of transit. Calves that are weaned with poor body conditioned are more predisposed to respiratory problems. Temperatures over 104 degrees indicate early signs of BRD. - and it causes annual economic losses which have been conservatively estimated for the US at $20 million Health is most vulnerable when arriving in a new environment Evaluate stress level Determine risk level (sale barn vs. off-farm) Developing a Herd Health Protocol Health is most vulnerable when arriving in a new environment Don’t receive cattle unless 14 straight days can be devoted to them Don’t let the quantity exceed the capacity of the crew Be prepared to handle and work all calves. Evaluate stress level Determine risk level (sale barn vs. off-farm) Co-mingled, travel distance, temperament, age, previous health program, weather, nutritional status, population density and competition, comfort, and handling Providing balanced and adequate nutrition before weaning Reducing stresses related to handling and shipping Purchasing source-verified cattle from herds with a known health history Vaccination calves pre-weaning followed by booster vaccinations at weaning Vaccinating calves at processing Castrating and weaning calves and allowing them time to acclimate to eating from a bunk prior to shipment Treating any calves that appear sick or have a fever as soon as possible Keeping Lungs Healthy Keep lungs healthy: Providing balanced and adequate nutrition before weaning Reducing stresses related to handling and shipping Purchasing source-verified cattle from herds with a known health history Vaccination calves pre-weaning followed by booster vaccinations at weaning Vaccinating calves at processing Castrating and weaning calves and allowing them time to acclimate to eating from a bunk prior to shipment Treating any calves that appear sick or have a fever as soon as possible Depression, anorexia, and dull eyes = CHECK for Temp! Temperatures over 104 = early signs of BRD Clinical signs later: rapid/labored breathing, droopy ears, coughing, diarrhea, sudden death, staggering, and nasal discharge. Left untreated, Will die from asphyxiation. What are the clinical signs of BRD Early recognition and treatment Can vary… A necropsy is recommended on all dead calves to confirm the diagnosis of BRD and to find out what viruses and bacteria are involved. Treatment options Early recognition and treatment of calves with BRD usually improves their outcome and overall performance. Can vary… Mostly antibiotics Cut surface of lung from steer with shipping fever. The bronchus contains fibrin The Bronchus is a passage of airway in the respiratory tract that conducts air into the lungs. Fibrin- - is a fibrous, non-globular protein involved in the clotting of blood. Pneumonic lung from a heifer with shipping fever Pneumonic plague, a severe type of lung infection Advanced planning and careful attention Decreasing the risks Good nutrition Giving them time to acclimate Properly vaccinated Mass medication Prevention strategies to reduce BRD Prevention strategies to reduce BRD Advanced planning and careful attention to herd health management Decreasing the risks of BRD: Good nutrition before weaning, reducing stresses related to handling and shipping, purchasing source-verified cattle from herds with a known health history, and vaccinating calves pre-weaning followed by booster vaccinations at weaning. Castrating and weaning calves while giving them time to acclimate to eating from a bunk prior to shipment is also a good idea. At processing, all calves should be properly vaccinated for BRD, ear tagged, implanted, weighed, and dewormed. Any calves that seem sick or febrile should be treated with antibiotics during processing Mass medication (metaphylaxis) with long acting antibiotics given to all calves, on arrival, is another prevention strategy that has become more common. Cost effective. Improved avg. daily gain. Feed efficiency. And overall performance. ? QESTIONS ? Landeis, Rick. Personal interview. 31 Oct. 2011. May, Cheryl. Cattle Management. Reston, Virginia: Reston Publishing Company, Inc, 1981. Jensen, Rue and Mackey, Donald R. Diseases of Feedlot Cattle. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1971.  Febiger, 1971.  QuietWean. QuietWean. 21 Nov. 2011. 5 Dec. 2011 http://quietwean.com/ Haley, Derek . Reducing Weaning Stress in Two Easy Steps. 02 July 2010 . 05 Dec. 2011 http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/beef/news/vbn0710a1.htm. HOFFELT , JEFFREY. Home News Livestock News .Calves most at risk for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) post-weaning . 6 Oct. 2011. 5 Dec. 2011 http://www.agriview.com/news/livestock/calves-most-at-risk-for-bovine-respiratory-disease-brd-post/article_df6424dc-ef61-11e0-93ef-001cc4c002e0.html . McClanahan , Susan L.. Health & National Animal Identification System. . 5 Dec. 2011 http://www.extension.umn.edu/beef/components/homestudy/stocker_lesson3.pdf .  Filly, Shelby. Weaning Beef Calves. . 5 Dec. 2011 http://extension.oregonstate.edu/douglas/sites/default/files/documents/lf/weaninglf0503.pdf .  Mathis, Clay P. and Encinias, Manny. Early Weaning Beef Cattle. . 5 Dec. 2011 http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_b/b-126.pdf . Stookey, Joseph M. . Alternate Weaning Strategies for Cow-Calf Producers . . 5 Dec. 2011 http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/articles/beefwean.html . Reference: