Early Weaning - A Management Alternative for Improving Heifer and Young Cow Productivity
2003
Arthington, John D.
Low cow body condition is the number one reason for reduced conception rates and overall poor cowherd productivity. Cows grazing pastures with inadequate forage availability or forage with low nutrient value will lose body condition if not provided with supplemental nutrients to meet their requirements. This typically occurs after calving, when nutritional demands are at a maximum. This is most pronounced in young cows and heifers, which have higher nutritional demands to support both lactation as well as their own continued growth. When managing these young cows, producers are faced with a limited number of options, one of which is early calf weaning. By weaning calves at the start of the breeding season (50 to 90 days of age), young cows are able to stop lactation and begin diverting nutrients toward improved body condition and attainment of postpartum estrus. Recent results from our research have shown that early-weaned, first-calf heifers require approximately 50% less energy to achieve and maintain moderate body condition compared to lactating heifers of the same age. Early weaning also has positive implications on the value of calves post-weaning. The use of early weaning, followed by 100 days of winter annual grazing, produces calves that have recovered from weaning stress and know how to eat. Further, researchers from the University of Illinois have reported that early weaning improved the percentage of calves grading USDA Choice or higher by over 30% compared to normal weaned calves.
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