Preparing for weaning: Follow the rule of thirds

Limiting the stress experienced during the weaning process is critical to ensure suckler calves remain healthy in the post weaning period.

Although much of the stress reducing actions – such as concentrate supplementation, creep grazing and ensuring herd health protocols etc. are up to date – take place prior to weaning, the action of separating dams from their calves is another area where careful planning and consideration is required.

As part of the recent ‘Preparing for Weaning’ Beef Edge podcast episode, John Donlon, Teagasc researcher and vet, joined podcast host Catherine Egan to share key advice and tips of how to limit stress during the weaning process.

After detailing the pre-weaning practices, John delved into best practice for the day of weaning, noting: “You never really want to remove all of the cows from the calves in one go. That would be quite an abrupt weaning process. If you were to remove all of the cows at once, you would end up with a very big group of stressed weanlings, which would be at serious risk for disease.”

Where adequate pre-weaning actions are not taken to help weaken the maternal bond and to ensure calves are adapted to a diet without milk, John noted that cortisol hormone levels rise significantly, weakening the calf’s immune response and making them more susceptible to diseases.

Removing all of the cows at once adds to this challenge and instead John recommended: “You should stagger that removal of cows. You should actually remove the cows from the field rather than removing the calves because then your calves are staying in an environment that are familiar with. That will reduce the level of stress as well.”

On the best approach to take when removing cows, John suggested removing one-third of the cows then leaving a week before the next third is removed, resulting in not all of the calves being stressed at once and a more gradual weaning occurring.

Additionally, as the calves will remain behind, John recommended doing so in a sheltered field to provide calves with protection from the elements if weather conditions change. Ideally, he noted, weaning outdoors is preferred, as indoor weaning requires excellent ventilation. If this is not present, the risk of infectious pathogens being released and spread from the recently weaned calves increases.

For more insights on preparing for weaning, listen to the Beef Edge podcast episode below: