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WEANING When weaning calves on the The Midwest Cattleman · October 1, 2020 · P18
continued from page 11 farm, it is important to consid-
er the nutrition that is being
of that out, now imagine how offered to calves. The number
it would be for a calf that ex- one goal during this time is
periences all of that over a 3 to encourage calves to eat, we
to 4-day period. We call this also want to make sure that
process abrupt weaning. As all they are getting the most out
the stressors compound, they of each mouth full that they
can cause the calves immune do consume during this time.
system to weaken, increasing Offering calves a high-quality
the risk for the development of grass or legume-grass mixture
respiratory disease. hay is important for calves in
What if instead the calves dry-lots. Offering a grain sup-
are weaned on the farm? No, plement can also increase the
this won’t be a totally stress- nutrient density of each mouth
free process, but it will be less full during this time. Feeding
stressful than the scenario I this supplement daily by hand
described above. An alterna- can allow you to visually as-
tive method to abrupt wean- sess the calves and take note
ing is fenceline weaning. This of which ones are or are not
method allows cows and calves coming up to the bunk.
to have visual and nose to nose By weaning calves on the associated with weaning. With money on the table, by rush-
contact. This can mean hous- farm, it is also possible to take some planning it is possible to ing calves to market? By de-
ing cows and calves in adja- advantage of new marketing offer a low-cost feed supple- creasing stress on our calves
cent pastures or having calves opportunities such the CPH-45 ment and efficiently add an during the weaning period, we
in a dry-lot pen, that cows can program. These opportunities additional 125-150 lbs of body may in turn offer a better calf
access via a drover’s alley. Al- can allow you to capture addi- weight to calves during this on sale day. This process may
lowing calves to be weaned on tional value on the calves that period. seem daunting, but with some
the farm, can get them through you wean on farm and pre-con- I encourage you to assess planning it is not only easier
that initial stress of separa- dition. Pre-conditioning allows your weaning program, is on the calves but can be prof-
tion from the dam, without us to separate out the stress- weaning a one-day event for itable too.
the added stress of comingling, ors commonly associated with your operation, or is it a pe-
and transit. the auction system from those riod of time? Are you leaving

DONT’ RISK mineral. So, if you dilute your mix, take the cow’s require- tamin A. The amount of vita-
continued from page 15 mineral with additional salt, ment and divide it by the num- min A in a drought year hay
42,000 IU/day for a 1300 lb don’t count the extra salt in to ber of pounds you are going to is another reason why there is
your intake targets. You want feed. For example, when fed at
non-lactating cow, and when to be sure the cows are eating ½ lb/d the supplement would an increased risk of vitamin A
lactating, her requirement in- the 4 or 2 oz of actual mineral need to contain 84,000 IU/lb to deficiency. The hay harvested
creases to 59,000 IU/d. There- mix per day. Many free choice meet a dry cow’s needs (42,000 during drought is often lower
fore, if you are using a 4 oz minerals are not formulated IU/d ÷ 0.5 lb/d = concentration in vitamin A as plants can be
free choice mineral, it would to fully supply the cow’s needs needed IU/lb). dead or dormant at harvest.
need to contain 168,000 IU/ because they are made for cat- Why should you change
lb for a dry cow and 234,000 tle grazing green pasture. Re- Stored forages as vitamin from your normal winter
IU/lb for a lactating cow. If member green grass is a great A sources? vitamin A supplement plan
you are planning to use a 2 source. In fact, it can provide A big challenge with hay after a drought?
oz a day mineral, then the over 10 times the suggested and silage is that the vitamin A If you look at what you
concentrations would have to requirement, but in drought content can be quite variable. provided last winter, it may
be double those listed above. years this is likely not the It is worth noting that fresh be less than the suggestion
These concentrations in the case. If you use a vitamin forti- green hay harvested before above, and you may have got-
mineral mix assume cows are fied protein cube, pellet or feed the plant has matured, can ten along just fine. The key is
eating the targeted amount of meet 80 to 90% of a dry cow’s that the cows likely had good
vitamin A requirement. How- stores of vitamin A going into
ever, levels in hay can vary a winter, due to their time spent
"I REALLY APPRECIATE THE HANDS ON lot depending on maturity at grazing green pasture, and
harvest, drying time, as well as thus could use those stores
LEARNING YOU PROVIDE - I WAS ABLE storage time and method. The along with what was in the
TO BE PRETTY CONFIDENT IN CALLING less mature and less exposure diet to meet their needs. This
PREG. AND OPEN COWS TODAY." to the sun and moisture the year, cow liver stores going
Hal Ryan better. Well managed corn si- into winter in areas affected by
Fairgrove , MO lage, can also be a good source drought, may not be as good,
of vitamin A, containing about and may not be sufficient to
twice as much vitamin A as meet the cow’s needs. So, take
green hay. However, like hay a look at your supplement to
it can vary considerably. Some see if it will meet your cow’s
hays and silage, along with needs without depending on
Learn to pregnancy check your own cows. Complete hands on dormant range, and corn res- her to use body stores.
course designed to teach you the fundamentals of preg checking. idue are practically devoid of
Call us today or visit our website for complete details. vitamin A. Bottom-line, if the University of Nebraska-
Lincoln
(573) 208-8125 • www.circle5cowschool.com forage is brown or tan in color,
don’t count on it to supply vi-