According to the National Cattlemen’s magazine, CattleFax® analyst Mike Miller has projected that in the next year the price per pound for a 550 pound calf will move towards that of the 750 pound yearling due to high corn prices. The response to this is cow/calf producers are considering keeping calves longer and putting additional pounds on them using pasture based forage systems. But, will the extra time the animals spend on the operation present producers with unique challenges from an animal health standpoint?
Well, that depends. Regardless of how long the calves stay on the operation, the greatest health challenge they will face is usually during the weaning period. So, if you are accustomed to weaning calves, you will find that keeping them a little longer isn’t going to create a lot of additional challenges. However, if you ordinarily sell calves right off the cow without weaning them, then you will have to do a little extra planning this year.
The first item to consider is your weaning facility. Not only should it be secure enough to keep the calves isolated from their mothers but it should also have good drainage to minimize the amount of mud that accumulates, a minimum of 1.5 feet of bunk space should be available per animal and the water tanks might need to have water running from a hydrant to entice calves to drink if they are not accustomed to drinking from automatic waterers already. It is also important to have convenient access to an area where calves can be caught and treated if necessary.
You also need to think about how you will prepare the calves immunologically for the weaning period. For the best results it is recommended the first round of vaccinations be given 2 to 4 weeks prior to weaning followed by a booster at weaning time. This will ensure the calves go into the weaning phase with the highest level of protection possible. It is also important to deworm at the initial vaccination because internal parasites not only affect weight gains but may also have a negative impact on immune system function. For further details on vaccination protocols, consult with your local veterinarian or refer to guidelines established by the Missouri Stocker Feeder Quality Assurance Program or MFA Health Track.
Finally, pay particular attention to nutrition. Feed intakes will be low during the first week of weaning therefore a palatable ration that has high nutrient densities should be offered. High quality long-stem hay, either ground and mixed with the supplement (preferred method) or fed free-choice, along with up to 2 pounds per day of a palatable 38 to 40 percent natural protein pellet results in excellent health performance and can achieve gains of 1 to 2 pounds per day.
In the end, the success you have with your calves in the long run is a reflection of how well the weaning process goes. Health problems that arise during weaning can have both immediate and long term impacts on production and financial performance.
Dr. Craig Payne is a veterinarian and beef specialist within the Commercial Agriculture Program through the University of Missouri.
