Introduction
Weaning is an important and effective process allowing cattle to transfer nutrition to their normal body. In cows, the supplements previously going to milk production get diverted to the body leading to improved functions in preparing for the next calving. There are several ways in which calves get weaned, but the main purpose remains the same. Weaning calves at the source before moving is advisable to reduce the chances of developing bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Stress is normally experienced when the calves are separated from their mothers. The source of anxiety is further attributed to the loss of nutritional support as milk intake is disrupted. Different weaning strategies get adopted, and their use is determined by the age of the calves and facilities present. Weaning of calves takes place at the early life stages with different schemes getting adopted; pre and post-ablactating management impact the stressors, performance, and efficiency of the calves getting detached.
Weaning Calves
Ablactating takes place between the eighth and tenth month age of the cattle, but other factors might inhibit the actual time. How a producer manages calves dramatically affects the overall economic feasibility and cattle attainment. The transition is vital for the young cows’ short and long-term performance and health. Weaning is regarded as the most stressful stage of a beef calf as they get separated from their dam (Beef Calves). They tend to experience additional unfamiliar and agitating events such as environmental changes, castration, dietary, dehorning, and vaccinations. The stressors negatively affect their immune systems, which can result in acquiring infectious diseases and reduced water and feed intake (Ježek et al. 1148). As a result, the overall performance of the post-weaning management is negatively impacted. Strategies likely to be used during the process include abrupt separation, yard, nose-flap, and creep weaning (Thomas). The methods have different significance in the efficiency and performance of the calves, but the main impact remains to prevent and reduce stress.
Pre-Weaning Management
Pre-weaning management is critical in addressing vital issues before the ablactation process occurs. The target during this period is to develop the rumen while simultaneously doubling the birth weight. First-stomach development in calves can be attained by feeding them solid food, enabling them to start cud-chewing, thus resulting in rumen growth (Thomas). Fresh water needs to be provided as it stimulates feeds, especially for milk-fed cattle. It also leads to bolus development, thus preparing them for smooth weaning. Roughage should also be fed along with water and other solid foods to improve the growth and health of the young cattle effectively (Lynch et al. 167). Providing fresh, fibrous, and chopped roughage has been vital in rumen development (Lynch et al. 174). Another primary concern during this phase is the health complications witnessed. Calves are highly affected by significant health conditions such as diarrhea and respiratory infection for up to eight weeks after birth. Prevention and treatment are the only viable options that must be performed to prevent death and prepare them for the weaning phase.
Post-Weaning Management
Young calves that have undergone weaning need to receive the same feeds as those provided before the process to minimize digestive adjustments. The lack of nutritional planning for the calves results in a post-weaning growth slump. Factors that lead to the development depreciation include abrupt diet changes, housing changes, inadequate nutrition, and post-weaning stress (Ježek et al. 1151). Unfavorable environmental conditions and stress are the main causes of lung problems due to viral and bacterial infections. The damages caused can be catastrophic or irreversible, leading to death if not treated early enough. Treatments that can be adopted include antibiotics if the infections are believed to be bacterial. The most important factors determining success or failure are the start of the treatment early enough and ensuring it is long enough. All animals within the group can be treated based on the advice given by the veterinarian to prevent future occurrences of the same problem.
Weaning Management Practices and Their Impact on Safety and Meat Quality
The weaning process getting adopted entirely depends on the labor available to the rancher and the facility’s preference. Everything is focused on reducing anxiety in the mother and her calf. Abrupt separation is considered a traditional form of halting in which there is a sudden separation of the calf and the mother with zero contact (Thomas). The young cattle get moved to new environments where they express a high amount of fuss resulting in fence walking as they search for one another. Another strategy is yard weaning, in which the calves get used to humans and thus resulting in stress reduction (Beef Calves). It is the most effective method as it sets the pattern of behavior the weaners adopt for the rest of their lives. Using the nose-flapping plan as another weaning design significantly reduces stress as the young cow is still in contact with the mother. The flap makes it difficult to suckle but does not affect drinking or eating.
Stressors
Weaning is one of the most stressful events in the life of a young cow. The two primary stressors are moving to a new environment and separation from the parent (Lynch et al. 173). Calves are forced to develop new watering and feeding skills and adapt to new surroundings. Management strategies that minimize stress by making the transition less abrupt result in weight gain and calf health improvement. Feed resources, labor, and facilities must be considered before deciding the most appropriate method to reduce anxiety while preparing them for the next phase (Thomas). Before the transition, young cows heavily relied on their mothers as a source of social direction and food. Fenceline weaning is vital and highly recommended as there is separation, but the mother and the calf can still see each other (Beef Calves). Several strategies can be adopted to reduce the stress experienced, including dehorning and castrating, which should be done about three weeks before the weaning.
Performance
Proper dietary before, during, and after weaning is key in promoting better health growth and performance for young calves. Management must include low-stress weaning, vaccination to prevent sicknesses, creep feed, and castrating early to attain better and healthy meat from the calves when they grow (Ježek et al. 1148). The common strategy that alleviates calf stress is fenceline weaning. It further improves weight gain, unlike the other commonly used methods like total separation (Beef Calves). Two-stage weaning is also considered as it causes less stress than abrupt separation. Through it, the calf is prevented from suckling using devices such as nose rings, reducing behavioral signs of stress after weaning (Beef Calves). Backgrounding beef cattle occurs immediately after weaning; they are fed well before getting placed in finishing feedlots. Early weaning is highly recommended in beef cattle as it improves gain efficiency, extends pasture grazing time, and lowers nutritional requirements (Lynch et al. 170). Dietary management can influence meat tenderness and quality, thus affecting the rate of purchase by consumers.
Efficiency
Post-marketing management practices such as vaccinations, castration, and dehorning have proved efficient in promoting safety and providing high-quality meat. When they arrive at a feedlot, calves get exposed to more stressors at first. All the stressors challenge young cows’ immune systems, hence the need to vaccinate (Lynch et al. 172). Through vaccination, producers attempt to increase the immunity of the animals. The move has proved to be effective even in healthy and unstressed cattle. It further prevents the attainment of BRD and maintains the calf’s health. A healthy animal produces quality meat that has no health complications if consumed. Castration also takes place shortly after the calves arrive at the feedlot. When bulls get castrated, they become safer to handle and improve their meat as more marbled gets produced (Lynch et al. 174). Animals with horns take up additional space that could be accommodated with additional ones. Dehorning is also done to prevent accidental injuries when the animals fight. It also prevents potential damage to the handlers who come in contact with the animals.
Conclusion
Safety and quality meat is promoted through weaning management practices such as dehorning, castration, and vaccination. Calves are weaned within the first year, and the strategy used entirely depends on the financial capability of the rancher. Pre and post-weaning management occur before and after the process, respectively. The leading practices promoting high-quality meat and safety are adopted during the post-management phase of the calves. The stressors arise due to the type of routine adopted but fade away after time. With proper vaccination, the performance and efficiency of the animals become high as they are healthy. Safety is highly promoted when the animals get castrated and dehorned.
Works Cited
“Weaning Beef Calves.”NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Ježek, Jožica, et al. “Management Practices Affecting Calves Welfare on Farms in Slovenia.”Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, vol. 67, no. 5, 2019, pp. 1147–1152.
Lynch, Eilish, et al. “Weaning Management of Beef Calves with Implications for Animal Health and Welfare.”Journal of Applied Animal Research, vol. 47, no. 1, 2019, pp. 167–175.
Thomas, Heather Smith. “Expert Tips for Pre- and Post-Weaning Success.”Weaning Time Is One of the Most Stressful Events in a Calf’s Life. Here’s How to Make It Easier on Both You and Your Cattle., 2017.