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8 steps to early weaning

Page published: June 18, 2026 | Page reviewed: June 18, 2026

‘Early weaning’ refers to the weight (age) of the calf and not the time of the muster. Early weaning is weaning calves that are 100–150 kg and 3 to 4 months old. ‘Radical weaning’ is weaning calves that are under 100 kg and under 3 months old. Traditionally calves are weaned between 4 to 8 months old.

Early weaning can benefit your cows and your business by:

  • Improving breeder body condition before the dry season by reducing the additional nutritional requirements of feeding a calf
  • Reducing the overall cost of supplementation as it is cheaper and easier to feed a weaner than it is to feed a calf cow unit
  • Decreasing breeder weight loss and the associated drop in pregnancy rate, poor calf performance and higher breeder deaths.

If you are thinking about weaning early or wondering if you could improve on what you are already doing, the next 8 steps are for you. As each property and business is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all early weaning strategy. Talking to a fellow producer who does it well can be useful in working out how to make it work for your operation or contact your local beef extension officer.

 

1. What weight of weaners should you wean down to?

2. Understand the requirements of the different sizes of weaners

3. Do you have what it takes?

4. Approximately 7 days before weaning

5. Day 1 of weaning

6. Day 2 of weaning

7. Days 3 to 7 of weaning

8. Final day of weaning

 

1. What weight of weaners should you wean down to?

  • It depends on the body condition score of the cows. Aim to have the cows body condition score (BCS) at 3 out of 5 at calving. If BCS falls below 3 and there has been no rain by February, then early weaning, possibly radical weaning, is essential to ensure a reasonable pregnancy rate next year.

2. Understand the requirements of the different sizes of weaners. Managing weaners according to their size and nutritional requirements is the most critical component of weaning management.

  • Weaners under 60kg should be fed to gain weight. They will need milk replacer in addition to high quality calf meals or pellets, 20%+ crude protein, at least 12 MJ/ME.
  • Weaners under 150kg should be fed to gain weight. On poor pasture they will not get enough protein or energy from urea blocks or licks. They should be fed a high-energy and high-protein supplement.
  • Weaners above 150kg should at least maintain weight and may need protein supplements to gain weight. On poor pastures, they may need a high energy and protein supplement.
  • Weaners under 200 kg should not be losing more than 10–15% of the weight otherwise the time they will need to reach sale weight will increase.

3. Do you have what it takes?

  • Secure yards large enough to hold weaners comfortably (at least 2.5 m2 per head) and where you can separate different classes of weaners based on their body size to reduce potential bullying (under 60 kg, 60–100 kg, 100–150 kg, 150–200 kg, over 200 kg)
  • The yards have enough shade for weaners to get out of the heat and are well drained to prevent bogging and chill in wet weather.
  • Suitable number and type of water troughs and feeders (for hay and supplements) that smaller calves can reach easily (fill in holes/hollowing out around the troughs to make sure small calves can reach)
  • Stock of good quality hay (has a high proportion of leaf to stem that is green and sweet smelling) and supplements to feed different classes of weaners
  • Equipment/gear for efficient delivery of hay and supplements such as hay forks on tractor, troughs and hay feeders
  • Vaccines required for your property on hand
    • 5-in-1 or 7-in-1 (if there is high risk of leptospirosis) in all situations
    • Botulism in phosphorus deficient regions
    • Tick fever in cattle tick zone. This needs to be pre ordered.
  • Drenches and pour-ons required for your property on hand
  • Eye treatment options on hand such as pinkeye (blight) ointment
  • Weaner paddock(s) with enough feed (pasture or crop). Weaner paddocks should be spelled over the wet season and kept in good condition for weaners after their time in the yards.
  • Time and staff to prepare for early weaning and then to feed, check and handle weaners daily
  • Money for additional feed and infrastructure (feed and pasture budgets and financial planning is important).

Extra considerations for year-round mated herds:

  • Year-round mated herds are likely to have a bigger spread of calf/weaner ages and sizes, therefore ideally more yards are required to split into different weight and age groups
  • If weaning is the first 5-in-1 or 7-in-1 vaccination ideally give a booster four to six weeks later.

An additional consideration for controlled or seasonally mated herds:

  • Approximately 4 weeks before weaning or earlier at marking/branding vaccinate with 5-in-1 or 7-in-1.

4. Approximately 7 days before weaning

  • Slash or scrape yards if there are any toxic weeds or manure build up from previous use
  • Ensure water troughs are clean, and feeders are in place
  • If possible, reduce dust by watering yards

5. Day 1 of weaning

  • Vaccinate with any required boosters and give relevant parasite treatments
  • Draft calves into management groups based on weight, condition and available yard space (for example under 60 kg, 60–100 kg, 100–150 kg, 150–200 kg, over 200 kg).
  • Feed quality hay and supplements tailored to each group

6. Day 2 of weaning

  • Walk weaners through the yards and crush daily to train them to respond calmly to handling
  • Replenish hay and feed supplements daily

7. Days 3 to 7 of weaning

  • Tail weaners out into a fresh paddock and yard at night at least three to four times
  • Watch out for health conditions particularly in early weaners as they are more susceptible to:
    • Coccidiosis – blood stained faeces, straining and dehydration
    • Dehydration
    • Respiratory and pink eye (blight) issues

8. Final day of weaning

  • In year-round mated herds process any clean skin weaners (branding, castrating, dehorning, etc.) and immediately turn out into fresh paddock. Ideally calves are processed at an earlier muster as they will recover quicker if they are still on the cow.
  • If tick fever vaccination is required, vaccinate the weaners the day they are turned out
  • Move weaners into weaner paddocks with supplements required for their weight and condition. The Weaner management in northern beef herds (second edition) manual outlines specific weaner supplements and intakes for various growth targets on pastures of different quality on page 24.

More information

Read

Watch

Listen

Got weaners in the yard? What next? Practical tips for weaner management and supplementation – podcast with Mick Sullivan (DPI), Ian and Penny McGibbon, St Lawrence, Queensland (18:53 minutes)

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Topics Articles and factsheets Weaners