Preparing for weaning with Teagasc Vet John Donlon
Teagasc researcher and vet, John Donlon is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the main issues that arise around weaning time and how to prevent them.
It’s been a difficult year for cows and calves, and performance of some calves has been impacted by the extended spring, challenging grazing conditions and weather. John says that many calves may have had health issues in the spring and it is important to reduce stress now at weaning.
Delaying weaning, he explains, will only further cause issues as a number of actions will take place in a shorter period of time, along with the weaning process, such actions may include housing if weather conditions are poor.
John highlights that there are a wide range of weaning protocols. However the principals are similar to the fact that the maternal bond is broken gently by forward creeping calves, concentrates are introduced four weeks pre-weaning, dosing for lungworm and or stomach worms is carried out prior to weaning and only removing a third of the cows a week to ensure calves are not stressed.
John also discusses the key points to consider when implementing a vaccination programme with your vet to reduce the incidence of pneumonia when housing takes place.
Listen in below:
For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com, visit the Beef Edge podcast show page.