Evaluation of Forage-Based Weaning Systems

in Spring Born Cross-Breed Beef Calves

Ronnie HelmondollarRandolph Co

WVU Extension service

Objective

Evaluate different supplements that may be used when weaning calves in a forage-based system

Determine the effect of early weaning on cow condition score

Why?

• Preconditioned calves have more market value than non-weaned calves

• The biggest expense in a weaning program is feed cost

• Cow Condition is a secondary benefit

Treatments

• Three treatments

– Commercial Pellet (Treatment I)

– Ground Corn/mineral premix (Treatment II)

– Pasture and mama (Treatment III)

Methods• Weights were taken at:

– Pre-weaning vaccination (Early August)• Calves were blocked by sex, AOD and weight

– Weaning (Early September)• Randomly assigned to treatments within blocks

– Post Weaning (45 days- mid-October)• Treatment three calves were weaned at this time

Cow weights, BCS and ultrasound measurements were recorded at each of the three weigh periods

Weaning Management

• Vaccination– IBR, BVD I & II, PI3, Lepto– Clostridial – Haemophilus somnus – Pasturella– Dewormed, external parasites

– Dry lot until moved to pasture plots – 5-7 days

Paddocks

• Aftermath hay field – orchard grass, clover, fescue, bluegrass

• Strip grazed – polywire was moved once a week or sooner if needed

• Supplements were bunk feed once a day

Results

Treatment

35

40

45

50

55

Wei

ght c

hang

e (k

gs)

1 2 3Treatment

Effect of Treatment on Calf Weight Change

a

b b

Year

32

36

40

44

48

52

Wei

ght C

hang

e (k

gs)

1 2 3Year

Effect of Year on Calf Weaning Weight Change

a

b

c

Treatment x yearEffect of Treatment by Year on Calf Weaning

Weight Change

202530354045505560

Year1 Year2 Year3

Wei

ght c

hang

e (k

gs)

TRT1 TRT2 TRT3

* *

†

Sex of calf

2025303540455055

Wei

ght C

hang

e (k

gs)

Heifer Steer

Effect of sex of Calf on Weaning Weight Change

a

b

Sex x yearEffect of Sex of Calf by Year on Calf Weaning

Weight Change

202530354045505560

Year1 Year2 Year3

Wei

ght C

hang

e (k

gs)

Heifer Steer

* *

Age of Dam

32

36

40

44

48

52

Wei

ght C

hang

e (k

gs)

2 3 4Age of Dam

Effect of Age of Dam on Calf Weaning Weight Change

a

b b

Cow information

Effects of Cow Age by Period on BCS Profile

4

4.5

5

5.5

6

6.5

EarlyWeaning

NormalWeaning

Pre-calving Postpartum Breeding EndBreeding

BC

S

2 3 4 5 ≥ 6

Effects of Cow Age by Treatment on BCS Profile

4.54.74.95.15.35.55.75.96.16.3

2 3 4 5 ≥ 6

BC

S

Control Early-Weaned

Effects of Cow Treatment by Period on BCS Profile

4

4.5

5

5.5

6

6.5

EarlyWeaning

NormalWeaning

Pre-calving Postpartum Breeding End Breeding

BC

S

Control Early-Weaned

Effects of Cow Treatment by Period on Ribfat Profile

0

12

34

56

78

9

EarlyWeaning

NormalWeaning

Pre-calving Postpartum Breeding

Ribf

at (m

m)

Control Early-Weaned

Economic analysis of feeding energy supplement on pasture backgrounding programs

Treatment

Mean weight gain (kg)

Mean cost of weight gain ($)

Mean value

of gain* ($)

Mean cost of marginal gain ($)

Mean marginal value of gain*($)

Net return per kg

1 52.27 21.45 91.87 0.411 1.76 1.349

2 46.32 12.89 81.58 0.278 1.76 1.482

3 46.70 --- --- --- ---  

Discussion

• Calves can be weaned in a forage system without sacrifice weight gain

• Steer calves gain more than heifer calves

• AOD can have an effect on weight gain

• Weather differences can effect weight gain

Discussion cont’d

• BCS can be improved by weaning calves

• BCS changes are maintained into the next breeding season

• Corn has a net advantage over a pelleted feed (processing corn will add to the cost of using corn)

Collaboration

• WVDA Land Division - Huttonsville Unit cows and calves were used as part of this project.

• Students from WVU Animal Science unit assisted with data collection

Thank you!!Thank you!!

Questions?Questions?