Stress-Free Weaning of Suckler Calves

Stephen O’Callaghan, Walsh Scholar, Teagasc, Galway/Clare

We are approaching the time of year when weaning takes place on most spring-calving suckler farms across the country. Weaning can be a stressful time for calves as they experience big changes in both their environment and diet. We want the weaning process to run as smoothly as possible to minimise any health issues or effects on animal performance.

Why is it important to reduce Stress?

Stress has a suppressive effect on the calf’s immune system, making calves more susceptible to disease. Outbreaks of pneumonia amongst weanlings are highly associated with situations where the immune system is compromised. There is often additional stress put on calves at the same time as weaning such as housing, transport, and sudden feed changes. It is important that a Weaning Plan is put in place for your farm well in advance, to minimise the stresses that are put on calves at weaning

Breaking the Cow/Calf Bond

Calves should be at least 7 months old before they are weaned. The weaning process will differ from farm to farm depending on your circumstance. Creep grazing calves ahead of cows prior to weaning can help to weaken the bond between cow and calf, and also allows calves access to the best grass available.

Allowing Calves to creep-graze in front of cows helps to prepare calves for weaning

We want to keep calves in a familiar environment when weaning, so cows should be removed from calves and not vice versa. Avoid abrupt weaning of all calves at the one time, instead try to remove 1/3^rd of the cows from the batch at a time, leaving at least 5 days in between removals.

Avoid other stressors such as castration or dehorning 4 weeks either side of weaning

Maintaining a Stable Diet

We want to avoid any major changes in the calf’s diet at weaning, such as moving from grass to silage; which often happens if calves are weaned at the same time as housing. If calves are at grass they should remain at grass during/post-weaning.

Meal Feeding for a period of 4 weeks before weaning and 2 weeks post weaning is best practice as calves become trained to eating meal and their reliance upon milk is lessened. Calves should be eating approximately 1kg meal per day at the time of weaning.

Parasites and Disease

Lungworm (hoose) and stomach worms become more of a problem for calves at this time of the year as they are eating more grass and therefore ingesting more worms. A worm burden is an additional stressor being put on the calf, so having them dosed 2 to 3 weeks before weaning where required will reduce this risk. Faecal Egg Sampling is a good way of determining if calves need a dose for stomach worms.

Pneumonia can be a serious problem in recently weaned calves; causing illness, death, and reduced lifetime performance. Vaccination protocols for preventing pneumonia may be required for your farm. Vaccinations are not effective immediately and may need to be given six weeks before weaning depending on the manufacturer. If you are using a two shot vaccine, it is important that you give calves that second booster shot for the vaccine to be effective.

Keeping an eye out post-weaning

Pneumonia: early diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. Broad symptoms include animals off feed, dullness, fever (>39.5 degrees), and discharge from nose/eyes.

Weaned cows are still susceptible to tetany for a week post-weaning and the risk is increased immediately after weaning due to stress, so Magnesium should be available

National Beef Welfare Scheme

The National Beef Welfare Scheme has been launched recently which supports farmers to complete two mandatory actions which are: Meal Feeding calves pre and post weaning, and Blood Testing animals for IBR

These actions are beneficial to the weaning process and give farmers an insight into the IBR status of their herd. For more information or to apply please contact your advisor

Key Tips

• Keep Calves in a familiar environment around weaning, removing cows gradually
• Avoid major changes in diet, introduce meal to calves before weaning
• Vaccinate/Dose calves in advance of Weaning where required
• Remember having a good Weaning Plan in place is essential, and will help reduce stress for both the calves and the Farmer!!