Why weaning matters

June 13, 2011

A couple weeks ago, I shared a parenting challenge hoping it would spur you to think about weaning plans. You might think, “Why does CAB care about weaning?”

Well, the animal scientists on our team say weaning is a pivotal point. They pore over tons of research each year (as a matter fact, I think they like abstracts as much as I like Diet Coke and chocolate, which is A LOT, but I digress…). They have found some distinct evidence that blows this myth right out of the water:

Myth— Weaning is weaning. It doesn’t really matter how it’s done or when.

Fact—It seems just about everything about weaning matters to everything from health to final performance and grade. I really learned that two years ago when I did a series on early weaning.

The general consensus is that practice will improve marbling and cow condition, and then there are the benefits like added forage. Of course there are logistics and costs associated with feeding a calf, too. But experts say if you retain ownership you should at least consider the economics of it.

I chatted with Dan Faulkner from the University of Illinois for that story and he said, “We need to get less locked into 205 days and look at low-cost systems to produce quality beef. Every set of resources is unique; there is no one size fits all.”  

I’m no scientist, but that seems logical to me.

At nearby Ohio State University, they tracked calves placed on a predominantly grain diet after early weaning, the groups averaged more than 90% Choice and 55% Certified Angus Beef ® (CAB®). Not too shabby! “Early weaning and putting them on a higher grain diet is just more days on that diet. They’re set up for maximum propionate production throughout their life,” said OSU animal scientist Francis Fluharty.

Basically after 4 weeks of age, calves are biologically ready to make a go of it on their own, so move up that calendar (not necessarily that dramatically, but some) and see what it could do for you.

So that falls in the when category, but then there’s the how.

Just pulling the calves off mamma and sending them down the road might be the easiest route but it’s probably also the worst one. Basically, the less stressed they are at weaning the better they’ll do in all categories later on.

I’d encourage you to read, “Weaning with a plan,” which featured advice from experts across the country. It covers everything from planning ahead (if you’re thinking about this now, pat yourself on the back) and giving immunizations to potential facilities upgrades and diet suggestions.

You might think, I sell at weaning, why do I care? Well, as one of my sources pointed out, it’s part of your chosen vocation.

“Even if they feel that they are not getting paid for it, it’s the job of the cow-calf producer to prepare those animals for the next stage of production.”

May your bottom line be filled with black ink,

~Miranda

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