Page 7 - Aug242023

WEANING FROM A CALF’S
WEANING FROM A CALF’S The Midwest Cattleman · August 24, 2023 · P7

POINT OF VIEW
POINT OF VIEW By Paul Vining - OQBN Coordinator

Oklahoma Quality Beef of a 45-day weaning period. udder and/
Network (OQBN) Vac-45 sales In cow-calf production sys- or dam is a
will continue, beginning in tems, it is necessary to wean major stress-
November. Like many certi- calves, usually between 6 and or for a calf.
fied calf preconditioning pro- 8 months of age to increase Some wean-
grams, the OQBN Vac-45 pro- cow reproductive performance ing strate-
gram requires that calves be and herd economic efficiency. gies such as
weaned a minimum of 45 days Many cow-calf production f e n c e - l i n e
before sale. This 45-day peri- systems involve abrupt wean- weaning or
od provides calves an oppor- ing, in which the calf is transi- the use of
tunity to overcome the stress tioned to a new environment nose flaps
associated with weaning, bol- away from the dam. While to prevent
sters immune function, and it is a necessary part of life, nursing seek
provides proper nutrition, al- breaking the maternal bond continued on
lowing for maintained health by removing access to the page 11
and performance upon enter-
ing the next phase of the beef
supply chain. WHY ARE WE STILL HERE AFTER MORE THAN 25 YEARS?
Weaning stressors include
removal from the dam, nu-
tritional changes, a new en-
vironment, and altered social
structure. These stressors are
often referred to collectively
as “weaning stress”, however,
each is unique and provides
its own challenge to calf wel-
fare. Understanding this criti-
cal time will allow a better un-
derstanding of the importance

Callaway

Livestock

Center, Inc.

On I-70, 4 miles east of
Kingdom City, MO on outer road

573-642-7486
MAKE SURE YOU
ARE
Feeder Sale
Monday IN OUR SPECIAL

12:30 p.m. CHAROLAIS

1st Thursday Night FEATURE
of Each Month SEPTEMBER 14TH
6TH
6:00 p.m.
Special Cow Sale

Jack Harrison
573-386-2138

John P. Harrison

573-386-5150 PHONE: 417-644-2993 - EMAIL: CATTLEMAN@CUTTINGEDGEUS.COM