One-stop shop for calf weaning

27 January 2012

The most effective way to look after the breeding cow’s body condition is weaning, especially in northern Australia. Calves are taken from their mothers mainly for the benefit of the cow.

As well as allowing her to regain condition to produce a calf each year, weaning also educates young stock for easier management, setting them up for life. Looking after both the cow and the calf after weaning goes hand in hand.

Why wean?

Co-author of MLA’s upcoming Weaner management in northern beef herds manual, Russ Tyler, said the main reason for weaning was to conserve breeding conditions, reduce mortalities and improve reproduction.

According to the former Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) Principal Extension Officer, some of the benefits such as improved reproduction may not be immediate but would accumulate over time.

“Weaning also provides an ideal opportunity to educate young animals which will set them up for ease of handling throughout their lives,” Russ said.

He said a breeder cow’s target body condition was score 3 or better at calving and planning the body weight cycle and condition throughout the year was key to higher fertility and lower mortality rates.

Stopping the need to produce milk allows the cow to regain lost condition during lactation and is equivalent to feeding 2kgs of grain a day.

The calf’s stomach

As a calf’s ruminant digestive system develops with age, the stage of rumen development determines the calf’s feed quantity and type.

In most of northern Australia pasture will be not be of sufficient quality to meet the needs of weaners particularly those weaned at less than 150kg liveweight.

As a result, most weaners will need supplementing to meet their target growth rates. When born, the calf has a small, non-functional rumen and cannot digest grass.

Russ said much of the animal’s protein came from digestion of rumen microorganisms (bugs).

“While the calf’s rumen is functioning reasonably well by three months of age, it’s not as strong as adults, so it’s important to remember weaners can’t handle poor quality feed. They need high levels (18–20%) of protein in their diet, which is usually fed as protein meals.”

Energy, protein, mineral and vitamin needs can be calculated from the animal’s size and its target growth rate using feeding standards.

Pasture and grazing management

Russ said having a dedicated paddock (which has been spelled over summer) was beneficial for turning out and training weaners.

“They should be put on the best country possible for high quality feed—not the holding paddock which is used for other stock and working horses.

“If two rounds of mustering occur, a different, good quality paddock for the second round weaners should be used.   It’s also important to consider the stocking rate and the decline in pasture quality during the dry season as the paddock must be able to carry the weaners until the break in the season.”

Weaning strategies

Russ said factors to consider when planning and implementing weaning strategies include:

• country type and how well the cattle grow on it
• seasonal conditions and time of year
• breeders’ ages
• mating system
• target markets and growth targets

How weaners are managed depends on economics and target market. What is considered normal weaning practice will vary according to the type of country. On more fertile country this may be weaning at six months of age while on lower fertility country weaning down to 100kg is often a common practice.

“Weaning calves at a younger age helps to keep the breeders in better body condition, particularly if the year has been dry or the country is poor,” he added.

“With seasonal mating, calves are normally weaned at four to eight months of age in late autumn. It’s important to look after weaners to avoid high mortalities.”

Weaning management involves planning for the muster, the yards, cow-proof fencing, stocks of hay and other supplements, the weaner paddocks and transport.

Find out more tips and information about managing weaners in the current edition of feedback magazine in your mailbox

Print this page

Email page

Go back to top