Managing the early weaned calf
The key to managing early weaning successfully lies in reducing stress as much as possible. Early weaners are typically much more susceptible to stress than normally weaned calves. Anything that reduces the level of stress in the weaning transition will be beneficial to their performance.
One of the key targets is to get the calves (if more than 4–5 weeks of age), on to an all-solids diet as quickly as possible. Depending on individual circumstances, all, or some of the following, should be considered as techniques to improve the management of early weaned calves.
1. Train calves to eat supplement prior to weaning
Calves that have had access to any supplement prior to weaning will take to feed more quickly. Many calves in drought situations have been nibbling at the cows’ supplement and have at least learnt to eat from a trough. Ideally, access via a creep to the actual early weaner ration, for a week or two prior to weaning, can be beneficial particularly for very young calves.
Case study: Early weaning and mitigating risk in dry times with Mark and Carolyn Redgen, Roma →
2. Provide plenty of opportunity for newly weaned calves to start eating quickly
Calves that start eating quickly will be exposed to less stress, will be less susceptible to getting sick and will perform better. Provide plenty of feeding space and, where possible, provide a variety of feed options.
Anything that encourages the calves onto their early weaner grain ration is a positive. For example, if calves have had access to an alternate supplement prior to weaning, it may be useful to spread a bit of this over the early weaner ration to get them started more quickly.
Even if the longer term plan is to feed the early weaner mix out of self feeders, it can be beneficial to feed out of open troughs initially, to get them started earlier. Be aware that many self feeders, feed troughs and water troughs will be too high for small calves. Building up the area in front of the troughs with old sleepers, gravel or the like, may be required. Ready access to good quality water is also critical.
Feeding a better quality hay (such as good forage sorghum, oaten hay or even lucerne, if available) for at least the start of the weaning period will help to ensure the calves start eating quickly.
3. Draft calves by size, weight, and pecking order
It may be beneficial to separate and manage differently, calves that are notably smaller, weaker or just lower in the pecking order. This requires another pen with water and feeding facilities. Similarly, as older calves transition through the system, they may be segregated out so that they can be fed a less expensive ration and managed less intensively.
4. Segregate calves that are sick
Despite all best management, it is likely that some calves may still get very sick, e.g. scours and respiratory problems. Where possible, separate the affected calves and manage them separately to reduce spread of the pathogens. Treatment may be required to get them healthy again quickly.
5. Keep up the hygiene
Try to keep water troughs clean and feed unsoiled. For example, feed hay in racks and supplement in troughs that are up off the ground. Failure to do so will increase the risk of sickness.
6. Avoid traumatic treatments
In many cases, early weaned calves will not have been branded prior to being weaned. If this is the case, delay branding, castrating, dehorning etc until the calves are well settled post weaning and preferably living outside the yard environment. If the calves received their first shot of 5-in-1 at the time of weaning, the second at branding will give them full protection.
7. Other treatments
If the mothers of the calves have had extended periods (minimum of three months) without any green feed, it may worth considering injecting the calves with vitamin A, D and E at weaning. All good early weaner rations will have adequate levels of the required vitamins. Only in cases where the levels have been severely depleted will there be a response to the injection.
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