Weaners

Introduction Phosphorus (P) often restricts beef production in northern Australia. When an animal’s P demand cannot be met either from the diet or by mobilising body reserves, dietary…
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The Welfare outcomes of calves of two ages castrated by elastrator rings project investigated the welfare outcomes of calves castrated by either elastrator rings or by surgery under…
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The Factors associated with divergent post-weaning liveweight gain in northern Australian beef cattle project, examined factors associated with divergence in post-weaning growth in Bos indicus steers in northern…
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This booklet focuses on best practice techniques for branding, castrating and dehorning cattle and provides information relating to a number of alternatives for each procedure, including necessary equipment…
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The ‘Causal factors affecting liveweight gain in north Australian beef herds’ project measured factors that affect within-herd variation in weight gain in extensive Northern Territory beef herds. The factors included genetics, diseases, parasites, temperament and diet selection. It also analysed historical data sets and pen studies.

Post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) is a very common condition in weaned calves. It is mainly caused by two coccidia (Eimeria bovis and E. zuernii) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract. Coccidiosis is…
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Correct management of weaners, including low stress training and education of calves at weaning, sets their pattern of behaviour for the rest of their lives. Making their first…
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Key messages Weaning is important to manage breeder body condition and reproduction. Astute managers start weaning before cows start to lose body condition. The smaller the animal, the…
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Weaner supplementation is one of the most critical aspects of successful weaner management. The type of supplement fed should be selected—based on weaner age and weight. This will…
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A summary of the key methods of castrating cattle: surgical, elastrator rings and Burdizzo.