Page 11 - MWC 04-22-2021s

Economic Consider The Midwest Cattleman · April 22, 2021 · P11
Economic Considerations ations
for Early Weaningy Weaning
for Earl

By Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension
Beef specialists and nutri- agement tool; weaning calves these two factors
tionists often advise ranch- early reduces the amount of results in 30 to
ers to wean calves at younger feed required to maintain 40% less daily
ages as a response to drought the cow. Ending lactation forage consump-
conditions. However, what reduces the cow’s nutrient tion.
about when moisture condi- requirements and dry mat- Research con-
tions are normal? Can wean- ter intake compared to when ducted by SDSU
ing calves at 100 to 180 days she is nursing a calf, even demonstrated
of age be profitable? during late lactation. Calves that weaning
For any management prac- consume approximately 2.0 calves 90 days
tice to be economically fea- to 2.5% of bodyweight of dry earlier cut forage
sible, income must increase forage; weaning early elim- disappearance
more than expenses, or ex- inates that forage demand
penses must decrease more as well. The combination of continued on page 21
than income declines. Almost
by definition, early weaning
results in lighter calves that
will gross fewer dollars (un- WHY ARE WE STILL HERE AFTER MORE THAN 25 YEARS?
less ranchers retain owner-
ship), so for this practice to
make sense as a routine man-
agement tool, there must be
some cost savings captured
or some positive effect on calf
crop and reproduction.

Feed Consumption Impact
There is an excellent rea-
son why ranchers use early
weaning as a drought man-

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