Weaning is one of the most stressful events in a calf’s life. Practices that minimize stress during this time can yield improved calf health and weight gain. When calves are weaned, they have two main stressors that can affect them:
1. Separation from their mother
2. Moving to a new environment.
When evaluating potential weaning methods, producers should evaluate their facilities and resources. Then, producers should decide which protocol within the resource parameters is most likely to cost-effectively minimize stress on the cows and calves, yet best prepare the calves for the next stage of production.
Research comparing methods for weaning cattle is limited; however, a few studies do shed some light on the subject. California researchers conducted a three-year study to compare weaning calves but allowing fenceline contact with their dams to non-weaned calves or calves weaned and completely separated from their dams. Results of this study indicate that fenceline-weaned calves show less behavioral stress than calves abruptly separated from their dams, and they gain 33 pounds more weight through 10 weeks post-weaning.
Allowing fenceline contact between calves and their dams for several days after weaning can lessen stress and minimize post-weaning performance decline. However, it may not always be possible to fenceline wean calves. In situations where fenceline weaning is impossible or impractical, producers should make every effort to minimize stress.
