Five Feed Tips for Weaning Calves
- Use Cattle Lick Tubs When Weaning Calves.. Cattle lick tubs can be used as a free-choice supplement in calf receiving...
- Offer Palatable Calf Starter Feed.. When calves search for feed, make sure there’s a palatable feed in the bunk. If...
- Select a Feed That Supports the Immune System of Weaning Calves.. It’s critical to support...
How do you start feeding weaning calves?
Using the 1,2,3 rule:
- Use the first milk (colostrum) from the cow
- Feed the calf colostrum within the first two hours of birth
- Calves must be offered at least three litres of good quality colostrum
What is the best way to wean calves?
- Requires additional pasture/drylot space to isolate calves from cows
- Bawling Calves
- Requires more feed to condition calves in drylot/pasture setting
How much grain should our weaned calves eat?
There are guidelines on how much grain a calf should be eating in order to have a functional rumen and be weaned. The rule of thumb is that calves should be consuming about 2 pounds (about 4 cups) of starter per day for three days in a row to be weaned onto all-solid feed (Jones, and Heinrichs 2017).
When should calves be weaned from their mothers?
The short answer: Some calves can be weaned as early as 60 - 90 days and still be quite successful. The long answer: A calf can be weaned from its mother any time after birth. Typically, calves perform best if left on the cow until a good percentage (80-90%) of the diet they consume each day is grass or hay.
What do you feed early weaned calves?
At first calves will have a low dry matter intake (DMI) for 3 to 14 days following weaning. During this time, dry matter intake will be in the range of 1 to 1.5% of body weight. Starter diets are energy-dense (i.e., 65% to 75% TDN), relatively rich in crude protein (i.e., 14% to 16%), and highly palatable.
What to feed cows after weaning?
Examples of post-weaning diets which beef producers are using:high quality legume based silage (lucerne silage with 60 per cent dry matter)lucerne hay, 30 per cent grain and some soy protein or canola meal.lucerne pasture.high protein and energy calf or heifer rearer pellets.
What feed is best for calves?
A typical creep feeding ration is corn or a mixture of 65 percent corn and 35 percent oats. Place beef feeder calves on good quality pasture to economically gain weight. After weaning, calves enter a growing phase.
How much feed should a weaned calf eat?
Calves will need 4 to 5 pounds of a grain-protein mixture per head daily to average 1.2 pounds daily on winter fescue pastures (Table 3). Forage sorghum, small grain and grass legume silages work well for wintering calves but are lower in energy than corn silage.
When should I start feeding grain to my calves?
In early weaning systems calves need to begin eating some grain by 2 weeks of age to allow enough rumen development to occur before weaning at 5 or 6 weeks of age. If we do a good job of managing grain intake, it is possible to wean calves at 6 weeks, even when milk feeding rates are high.
Is corn good for calves?
Corn is an excellent energy source for cattle, too. From a plant perspective, corn is a grass – it just happens to be a much more nutritious grass than the stuff that's growing in your yard. The starch and protein that the corn kernel provides help cattle grow and thrive.
What should I feed my 4 month old calf?
Treat calves more like piglets up to 4 months of age. Feed them a diet high in corn that is not restricted. Do not feed hay until 2 months of age. Feed only a high-quality, leafy forage from 2 to 4 months of age, and limit the amount of forage to no more than 10 percent of the diet, preferably 5 percent.
What should I feed my 6 month old bull calf?
Feed calf starter up to 5 to 6 pounds per day and free choice hay (if you want to feed hay or forage). Preferably do not feed forage, and offer a calf starter ad lib or free choice up to 250 pounds. The type of starter can be completely texturized, a complete pellet, or a mix of whole corn and pellets.
How long should you feed calf starter?
Calves can be maintained on the starter for 2 to 3 weeks postweaning and then transition to a grower diet offered with long forage.
How much corn should a calf eat?
Calves that are gaining at a moderate rate (2 to 3 lbs/day) need about 1.5% of their body weight as grains (800 lb calf = 12 lbs of grain), whereas calves gaining at a greater rate (+ 3 lbs/day) need more grain in their diet and should consume up to 2.0 to 2.25% of their body weight as grain (800 lb calf = 16 to 20 lbs ...
How much grain should a 12 week old calf eat?
pound calf will need to consume in the neighborhood of 7 to 8 pounds of grain daily. Small amounts of hay will compliment the grain ration for these 8 to 12 week old animals.
Why is it important to keep calves eating?
“It is important to keep the calves eating because there are many times where we create more problems for ourselves in a weaning program by getting ahead of the calves and offering them too much feed ,” Waggoner said.
What is a weanling's diet?
Weanlings are often used to feedstuffs such as grass and hay, which are not rich in nutrients, so producers must find a way to balance the familiar feedstuff with new, nutrient-rich feeds.
What is the K-state Hays weaning protocol?
Waggoner referenced a series of studies called the K-State Hays weaning feed management protocol, a step-by-step process used to wean calves so it would be standardized across different treatment groups. It transitioned the calves from a grass and milk diet to some sort of a total mix ration.
What happens if you don't feed your cows?
If they do not eat properly there’s an increased risk of disease. * Feeding both cows and calves a small amount of a supplement or the weaning ration out of a bunk prior to weaning when the calves are with the cows can be a good way to acclimate them to those feeds.
Is spring beef weaning good?
GARDEN CITY, Kan. – As spring beef calves are beginning to be weaned, it is the producer’s responsibility to help make that transition as smooth as possible. Improper weaning can result in poor growth, which may stay with the animal through its life, according to Kansas State University animal scientist Justin Waggoner.
What do I feed my finishing steers?
I feed WSC to my finishing steers. They are fall calves weaned in May, on grass w/ corn , then hay w/ corn. I get them up to about 20# WSC with a little bit of protein pellets.
What do you feed whole shell corn with?
Against what a lot of people do - I feed whole shell corn, with a protein pellet added to get the protein level needed.
How old are fall steers when they are butchering?
And to add - I feed out Sept-Oct born calves and butcher them the following October - so they are 12 or 13 months of age. I have been averaging about a 750# carcass. Growthy calves do not need to be backgrounded (pastured). They can go directly on a finishing ration (SLOWLY). Start with 1% of their body weight. You can easily increase every 2 weeks - up to 3% of BW. My fall steers are getting just about 20# WSC right now. Butcher date is 10-11
Why do cattlemen fear feeding whole corn?
That’s because they can see the corn in manure and fear their cattle aren’t getting anything from it.
How much corn should I feed my dog?
I would feed him 1-2% of his body weight. What does he weigh? If he is 1000#, 1% is 10#. So 9# corn & 1# 45%, should be about 12.5% which I would think is "just right" for protein. With good hay, that should be good to grow him out. 2% will help him grow out better - just watch for fat.
What is the only thing that gets grain?
Basically, the only thing that gets grain (corn) is my replacement heifers, show cattle and a few steers I feed out for freezer trade.
Can you feed straight corn to prevent acidosis?
I generally don't feed straight corn to prevent acidosis since they are grazing and getting grain, was told the high levels of starch in straight corn while grazing was more likely to cause acidosis.
What is the best protein for a young calves?
Soybean meal or alfalfa is a preferable protein source over cottonseed meal for young calves, and Lalman says the ration labeled Diet B is well tested and favored by producers starting lightweight calves. 5.
What is the best way to wean cows from drought?
One of the biggest components to successfully early weaning of calves from drought-stressed cows and pastures is a prosperous transition to a feed ration or rations.
How much weight did a calf gain in a day?
In that older OSU data, calves gained 1.75 pounds per day for the weaned period and in recent years have gained 1.75 to 2.25 pounds per day on the two rations we show here. In North Dakota trials, early-weaned calves gained 1.51 to 2.32 pounds per day.
Why are the first two weeks after weaning important?
That paper notes the first two weeks after weaning are critical because stress can be high and calves need to learn how to eat and drink.
How many calves per pen?
To insure that smaller and more timid calves get a chance at feed and water, limit 20 calves per pen during the critical first few days on the starter ration. Placing one or two older calves that are accustomed to eating and drinking in with the early-weaned calves helps to reduce stress on the weaned calves and give them someone to follow to ...
Does Oklahoma State University have a confined cow operation?
Oklahoma State University has for several years now maintained a confined-cow operation and therefore has calves on feed. Beef Producer asked OSU beef specialist Dave Lalman if he has any new lessons or thoughts from those experiences he would share. This is his answer:
Can silage be used in weaning?
Although they have high nutrition, he says, silages should only be used in limited amounts because the high moisture level and the palatability characteristics of silage make it unlikely calves will consume silage-based diets in amounts adequate to grow at targeted levels.
How to keep calfs hydrated?
Until then, one way to keep calves hydrated is to place some additional water tanks or tubs in the pen. Like feed bunk placement, water tanks or tubs should be placed along the fence line so calves will quickly find them and start drinking.
How much bunk space do calfs need?
If you’re using a calf starter feed with intake control properties in a self-feeder, each calf only needs six to eight inches of bunk space because they won’t all eat at once.
Is it stressful to wean a calf?
Weaning calves can be very stressful, but implementing a few new nutritional strategies can make the transition more seamless.
Can you walk a calf out of a waterer?
If your calves are suddenly moved into a pen with an automatic waterer and they’ve never used one before, you can’t expect them to walk right up and drink out of one. It will take some time for calves to adapt to their surroundings and navigate the facilities with ease.
Can you wean cattle?
Weaning calves can be a stressful time for you and your beef cattle. But, the sooner you can get your calves to eat, the less likely they are to get sick. A few adjustments to your nutrition program can make a huge difference. 1.
What to feed a stressed calves?
Plant protein sources such as soybean meal, canola meal, or cottonseed meal are preferred. Vitamins and trace minerals, such as vitamins A and E, zinc, and copper, play an important role in immune function and should be provided at appropriate levels for stressed calves.
What should a calves diet be?
Receiving diets should be low in starch and consist of highly digestible fiber sources. Avoid feeding cheap feeds or by-products that vary in composition. Inclusion of silage in receiving diets should be limited as it is not a familiar feedstuff to calves and may lead to clostridia problems. Calves do not tolerate nonprotein nitrogen sources such as urea. Plant protein sources such as soybean meal, canola meal, or cottonseed meal are preferred. Vitamins and trace minerals, such as vitamins A and E, zinc, and copper, play an important role in immune function and should be provided at appropriate levels for stressed calves.
Why is it important to manage cattle during the receiving phase?
Proper management during the receiving phase is critical to overall health and long-term performance of cattle in the feedlot. Newly weaned calves are faced with the stress of separation from the cow, deprivation of feed and water during transportation, and adaptation to the feedlot environment. Whether calves are being introduced into a backgrounding or finishing program, implementing low-stress management practices to ensure this is a smooth transition for incoming calves becomes a major priority.
Can you rest calves before processing?
With regards to transit time, allow calves to rest prior to processing. It is well known that vaccinating stressed calves results in a poor vaccine response. Practice low-stress cattle handling at all times and use working facilities that are appropriate for processing calves. Consider delaying administration of implants until calves are on a steady plane of nutrition.
How to wean a cow?
Second, before weaning, expose calves to feed. We know that the sooner calves consume feed after weaning, the lower the morbidity and mortality. This may mean that two to three weeks before weaning, start calves on a creep feed or offer cows a couple pounds of cubes three to four times a week. Calves will learn to eat alongside their mothers and then when they are weaned, considered starting them on a pelleted ration for the first 14 to 21 days.
When should I wean my cows from calving?
That being said, I know of producers with spring-calving herds that routinely wean calves from first calf- females ahead of the mature cow herd. Body condition at calving has the greatest impact on reproductive performance the next breeding season. By weaning calves (calves 160 to 180 days of age) early the nutrient needs of these females decreases a bunch and they are able to graze themselves into good body condition before calving and reproductive performance is really good for these females the following spring/summer.
How old should a cow be to wean from dam?
There are data that indicates that beef calves can be successfully weaned from their dams when they are 45 days old. So when the youngest calf is between 45 to 60 days old, you could consider weaning them from their dams. It is important that waters and feed bunks are at a level that calves of this age can easily access them. Also, consult your veterinarian as to herd health strategies. Calves at this young age are still responding to passive immunity that they received through colostrum. Your vet will help you with this component. Diets fed to early weaned calves must be comprised of high quality feeds that are highly digested. These calves have a small rumen and to keep them growing at an acceptable rate, the diets need to be well designed. Also, these diets need to be high quality, dust free, and particle size needs to be uniform so that calves cannot sort the rations.
What is the importance of feeding bunks and waters?
It is important that waters and feed bunks are at a level that calves of this age can easily access them. Also, consult your veterinarian as to herd health strategies. Calves at this young age are still responding to passive immunity that they received through colostrum. Your vet will help you with this component.
How long do cows stay at fences?
The first day, calves and cows will stay at the fence, after four days , they both will be content in their pastures. Continue to feed the calves or have the creep feeders available for them.
Can cows get MLV?
The concern about using modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines in pre?weaned calves is that pregnant cows (the dams of these calves) might abort following exposure to the vaccine virus. This very rarely happens and many thousands of calves receive MLV vaccine prior to weaning without adverse effect to the cow herd. Vaccinating cows prior to breeding, using the same product, further minimizes this risk. However, vaccine manufacturers often warn of the possibility of problems on the label - and if they don't want to assume any liability, then I don't either - so follow the label directions.
Can you wean calves from a herd?
Good question. The answer, I think, is "it depends". If first-calf females have access to an abundant amount of forage and appear to be in adequate body condition, then weaning calves from this group of females ahead of the time that you would wean calves from the rest of the herd is likely not necessary. If the amount of forage is not adequate (drought conditions) and/or quality of the forage is low when these young females are still in a part of their lactation curve where they are producing a lot of milk, then early wean calves from this group of females would allow them not to get in poor body condition or if they have, you could regain body condition without much supplementation.
How long do calves need to eat receiving rations?
Receiving rations must be palatable and highly fortified with nutrients if stressed calves are going to consume close to their daily nutrient needs the first two weeks after arrival. A variety of receiving rations have been used successfully.
How to keep death loss and sickness to a minimum on new feeder cattle?
Keeping death loss and sickness to a minimum on new feeder cattle is basic to profitable backgrounding. A good health program begins by avoiding the purchase of sick animals or those exposed to sick animals. Newly weaned calves usually have more sickness problems than yearlings.
What is MGA in heifers?
MGA is a synthetic hormone similar in structure and activity to progesterone, the natural pregnancy hormone.
What are some good winter rations?
Distiller slops and grains, soybean hulls and whole cottonseed are other possibilities for protein and energy sources in winter rations.
Why do cattle graze in spring?
Rotational grazing systems and sequential grazing, or letting stocker cattle graze before cows so the younger animals will have the higher quality forage, are other attempts to make the most economical use of forages. Any extra cost or labor involved must be considered to evaluate the economics of these practices.
When should calves be fleshy?
Calves that are to be grazed on summer pastures without grain supplements should not be fleshy in the spring. Calves that have gained more slowly in the winter will usually gain faster in the summer and make up 50 to 60 percent of their lag in winter gain. Medium- to large-frame calves should not become fleshy when gaining from 1.5 to 2.0 pounds daily in winter.
Do weaned calves have sickness?
Newly weaned calves usually have more sickness problems than yearlings. Preconditioned calves that have received their shots and been taught to eat grain should have less sickness. This is especially true for calves stressed by marketing and transportation procedures.