WITH the exception of milk-finished vealers, yard weaning is becoming the preferred industry method of separating calves from their mothers before sale and is now seen as an essential part of the overall education and management process, says Local Land Services officer and beef cattle expert Nathan Jennings, Lismore.
“It can require more labour and may be more expensive than some other methods. However, it has several benefits,” he says.
For starters the The calves become accustomed to the yards and being handled and worked; the method also introduces calves to hand feeding.
There is less weight loss compared to paddock weaning situations as calves aren’t marching fence lines trying to get back to their mothers and their newly acquired social interaction may reduce stresses in later life, particularly in the feedlot environment.
Yard weaned calves will mature into adults that in most cases tend to be quieter and easier to handle.
They are also less susceptible to respiratory disease if finished in feedlots later in life
“The weaning and training program may last up to 10-14 days, however seven days is used most commonly and includes feeding, drafting, working through the race and yarding from adjoining paddocks,” says Mr Jennings.
Make the most of it
Ensure you have well-built weaner proof yards, rubber belting 1.2 meters high covering the rails is ideal.
Position your yards on a well-drained, non-boggy surface and make sure there is adequate shade.
Mr Jennings says pen stock density of 4m2/head for calves 180-260kg or 2.5m2/head for calves 100-170kg is ideal.
Feed them good quality hay or silage ad lib. The younger the calves the better quality feed required.
Aim to have calves back on good quality pasture as soon as possible - Ideally between seven and 10 days.
