KANSAS CITY, Mo. Many
cattlemen have always weaned at
the same time each season. While
this may be profitable for your
operation, it may be beneficial to
consider weaning calves earlier
than the normal 240-270 days of
age.
Recent studies are showing that
when faced with limited feed sup
plies, low-quality pastures or spe
cial situations, early weaning may
allow a practical way to efficiendy
use feed resources while still ob
taining satisfactory calf gains.
Early weaning merits special
consideration when you’re trying
to improve the rebreeding of first
calf heifers. The stresses of lacta
tion, growth, and preparation for
rebreeding are especially severe in
first-calf heifers, and may result in
a conception delay. Nursing de
lays the female’s ability to recycle
after calving and early weaning
decreases the interval between
calving and estrus.
Dr. John Hough, director of
education and research for the
American Polled Hereford Asso
ciation, said that early weaning to
improve fertility of first-calf heif
Early Weaning May Increase Profits, Rebreeding
ers may-be done when calves are
35 to 60 days old.
“Studies from Clemson Univer
sity have shown that 81 percent of
heifers whose calves were weaned
at 56 days of age calved within the
first 30 days of the following calv
ing season. Only 46 percent of
heifers subjected to normal wean
ing calved within the same per
iod,” he said.
Early weaning can also make
the best use of marginal or lower
quality forage by dry cows. Calves
can ber put into drylot or fed grain
while on pasture to achieve effi
cient gains. Dry cows can then be
placed on lower-quality pasture
because their nutrient require
ments are lower.
The most critical period for
early-weaned calves is the first
two weeks after weaning. Calves
must overcome the stress of wean
ing and learn to eat feed very
quickly. Hough said palatable
feed, good management, and good
facilities to reduce stress will de
crease any riskiness associated
with early weaning.
Don’t forget vaccination,”
Hough said. “At weaning, all
calves should be vaccinated lor
blackleg and malignant edema.
Pasteurclla vaccines may also be
considered. And it’s a goal idea to
vaccinate a couple weeks prior to
weaning so that immunity will be
established when the calves arc
weaned. Your local veterinarian
can recommend a vaccination pro-
Shorthorn
NEW CASTLE (Lawrence Co.)
Dale and Renee Kennedy of
Valencia captured both the grand
champions at the recent Pennsyl
vania State Shorthorn Show with
entries from their Keystone Gene
tics herd.
The show was held in conjunc
tion with the Lawrence County
Fair. The entries were judged by
Bruce Steitsbath of Ohio.
C F Special Man 69X won the
2-year-old heifer class, senior and
grand champion female, which
earned the Fred Smalstig Memor
ial trophy. Later in the day she
was selected the supreme cham
pion beef female of the 1992 Law
rence County Fair.
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, September 12, 1992-C5
gram suited to your area.”
Calves should be put in a small
pen with some type of shelter
available. Smaller pens are prefer
red over larger lots because the
larger areas encourage fence
walking and make it more difficult
to find feed and water.
“The final and most important
step of weaning calves early is nu-
Show Names Winners
Keystone Drive Rdion won the
winter bull calf class, calf cham
pion bull, and grand champion
bull. The reserve grand champion
bull was the senior champion, G R
Dick Tracy ET, a 2-year-old ex
hibited by the Richard Peoples
Family.
Other champion winners in
cluded reserve bull calf champion,
won by Paul Schneider. Junior
champion bull was taken by the
Peoples family. Reserve junior
champion bull was awarded to an
entry from Harold Kennedy’s
Hills of Home herd. Both the calf
champion heifer and the reserve
were Keystone Genetic entries.
The reserve champion female
trition,” Hough said. “A properly
balanced ration will gel younger
calves up and running and dis
courage any potential problems.”
Veterinarians or county exten
sion offices can provide more in
formation about early weaning,
nutrition programs, and weaning
practices.
was HHF Fancy, an entry of Hive
ly’s Highland Farm of New Wa
terford, Ohio. This heifer had won
the summer yearling class and was
selected junior champion. The re
serve junior champion was an
other Hively entry, HHF Cover
Girl. Reserve senior champion
was Keystone Lucy, the second
place 2-year-old, a Keystone
Genetic entry.
Champion female of the junior
show was WBF 9245 sth Ave Ba
by Doll, an entry of Paul Schneid
er. Another Paul Schneider entry
was the reserve champion. Todd
Radzninski won the senior section
of the Junior showmanship class.
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