MATT Ryan has devised a simple and effective weaning system at Kilcooly, Sodwalls, eliminating most of the stress to cow and calf causing weight loss.
"The method is simple and reduces the 'cold turkey' withdrawal of sudden weaning," Mr Ryan said.
When pastures reach their reproductive stage during January in his area, palatability, digestibility and nutrition drop by some 20 per cent, according to Mr Ryan.
"While that level may be sufficient to maintain the cows, who this year are in good condition as they head into their second trimester of pregnancy, it's not good enough for young growing animals at their feet," Mr Ryan said.
He places a self-feeder in the paddock filled with a high protein, high energy food source that only calves can access.
"We use DDG, a by-product from the ethanol mill of the Manildra Group at Bomaderry, which contains from 19 to 22 per cent protein and 12 megajoules of energy," he said.
"It usually takes about three weeks for a mob to get the majority to know what's going on.
"Calves are inquisitive, so it's not difficult for them to sample and accept the palatable pelleted product."
Mr Ryan said that while the mob is utilising the one paddock, the paddock next door has been rested and is growing plenty of fresh pasture.
"We drag the feeder about 10 metres through the divisional gate into the fresh paddock and replace the gateway with a creep which only lets the calves through to access the feeder.
"Not only do the calves enjoy the pellets, but also find the new pasture tantalising and spend more time grazing away from mum, although they may still go back to the milk bar."
For the first few days cows hang on the fence being a bit panicky as their babies are next door.
"However, they get used to their calves' intermittent absences during the next three weeks before the stage of separation," he said.
"The calves begin spending more time grazing independently."
When finally it comes to weaning time the separation is easier for mother and calf.
"Calves care less for their mothers as they have been educated to grazing independently over the weeks," he said.
There are bigger plusses for the cow, calf and the beef breeding business as the less stressing makes for a smooth transition.
"We use the pellets but high quality silage or high quality hay or grain can be used instead," Mr Ryan said.
SALT LICK
Nearby in the paddock a recycled bathtub filled with coarse salt is covered by a home-made sunshade.
The cows have access to this eight months of the year.
"I started doing this some years ago when talking to the district veterinarian, Bruce Watt at Bathurst," he said.
"He told me sodium is very important in aiding cows to assimilate magnesium.
The unit is on skates and can be slid about a paddock or hooked onto a forklift.
He uses a crane on his truck to transport about.
PERFORMANCE SELECTION
The Ryan family of Matt, wife Deborah and son, Luke, run 400 Angus cows on the 612 hectare property and target the feedlot market with their steers weighing 350 kilograms at nine to 10 months of age.
Their first draft of cattle will be sent to the JBS Yanco feedlot in May as the herd is European Union (EU) accredited.
"We have a pretty good relationship with JBS who provide us with performance data both in the feedlot and processing over the hook," Mr Ryan said.
Nearly all heifers are kept and joined at 12 months and then replacements are selected from all that conceived in the first cycle.
"We sell the heifers that conceive in the second cycle as PTIC and sold to return buyers from around the tableland districts," he said.
From the feedback data list the Ryans identify the animals that had the better daily gain and good carcase by the RFID number.
From this information they select the sires to join to the best performing cows in an AI program.
