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WEANING weaning process resulting in The Midwest Cattleman · August 24, 2023 · P11
continued from page 7 environmental stress as the
calf seeks to orientate to its LIFE that it might add ten dollars
to mitigate stress caused by new surroundings. continued from page 5 per month to the already ex-
removal from the dam. While A weaning period of 45 pensive electric bill, so in a
these methods provide the days or more ensures calves under a scorching ball of fire, conversation with Mom, he
benefit of maintained contact can cope with weaning stress- and a wind speed of 0 MPH, absolutely forbade it. We in-
with the dam, research indi- ors and remain healthy. An which can make a 95 degree stalled our first unit, shortly
cates that calves fitted with Iowa State University study day feel like the sweltering thereafter.
nose flaps to prevent suck- found that calves that had sauna of Satan. Today, the vast majority of
ling still exhibit stress-relat- been weaned for a minimum Even as a teenager, our homes are cooled by air con-
ed behavior such as increased of 30 days had a 15% lesser home did not have an air ditioning, as are most office
vocalization, decreased time incidence of bovine respirato- conditioner. My mother re- buildings, retail stores and
playing, and decreased rumi- ry disease compared to calves ally wanted us to purchase schools. Almost all cars and
nation indicating that access that had been weaned for less one, because she spent a good trucks are air conditioned, as
to the udder is a critical com- than 30 days. portion of each summer over well as farm tractors, heavy
ponent of calf contentment. Weaning stress cannot be a hot stove preparing garden equipment, and, even the
Calves experience nutri- attributed to a single stressor, UTV I drive around the farm.
tional changes as they transi- but involves multiple stress- produce for canning. Dad, on I’m not smart enough to
the other hand, thought that
tion away from access to milk, ors including severing the AC could be unhealthy, after know whether temperatures
which is a protein and ener- maternal bond, loss of access working outside all day, only are significantly hotter than
gy-dense food source and can to the udder, altered diet and to come in and breathe cold they ever have been. I do sus-
account for up to 30% of a six- available nutrients, social air at night—not to mention pect that the heat we now
seven-month-old calf’s caloric challenges, and environmen- endure seems
intake. Prior to weaning nurs- tal changes. A weaning peri- warmer, because
ing is a calf’s primary source od of at least 45 days lays the most of us spend
of social interaction with the foundation to maintain and the majority of
dam. Following weaning, improve calf health. Eval- our time in an
calves must learn to interact uating the weaning period air conditioned
with their peers, which leads to through the eyes of a calf pro- environment,
brief social stress as each calf vides understanding regard- failing to realize
seeks to find its place within ing this unique period of life. that, outside, it’s
the group. Calves are usually summer.
transitioned to an unfamiliar
pasture or dry lot during the
