Calves are weaned earlier to allow cows to gain body condition before the next calving. Older cows and first calvers in poor condition have greater difficulty in returning to service than those in good condition. Condition and age of Cow - cow condition is a key factor to joining success.Feed availability - cows can continue lactation without losing condition in good years, but early weaning should be considered in drier years.The actual age depends on several factors: Calf age at weaningĬalves are generally weaned between 8-10 months of age. Calves four months old are much easier to feed and manage in a drought situation. Generally, the longer calves remain on the cow without drawing down her body condition the better. Weaning at this stage will conserve the body condition of the cows, stimulate oestrus activity, ovulation and ensure reasonable conception rates at joining. In a severe drought calves can be weaned as early as six weeks if they are placed on a high protein (18 per cent) concentrate diet and carefully managed. This should condense the calving time of the herd. Weaning of calves at 6-7 months, from two-year-old heifers, light condition and later calving cows, allows the cows to improve in condition, calve in better condition and show oestrus earlier. The better the condition of a cow at calving, the better her milk supply and the sooner she will show oestrus after calving. The important aspects of herd fertility - calving percentage, calving pattern and calving span - are strongly affected by cow condition. Weaning allows the cow to transfer nutrition, previously going into milk production, to her own normal body functions including improving her own condition and preparing herself for the next calving. The weaning of calves instantly reduces the stresses on the cow. These factors include the breeding efficiency and fertility of the cow herd, feed utilisation, animal behaviour, future carcase merits of steers and future breeding efficiency of heifer weaners. Weaning and weaning management are the most effective tools to manipulate important factors in beef cattle management.
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