 ANOTHER APPROACH TO WEANING REVISITED
 You may recall that I wrote an article on this subject last year. The article was based on information from Dr. Ed Price and others in the Animal Science Department at UC Davis. They looked at alternative methods of weaning that may reduce the negative effects of the traditional method used to wean calves.
Dr. Price's study was designed to determine if fence line contact of calves with their dams at weaning would reduce the distress experienced by calves and reduce the negative effects of separation on behavior and growth during this period.
The following is a brief summary of Dr. Price's findings:
- Calves totally separated from their dams showed a number of signs of distress for about 3 days (excessive vocalizations, pacing fence lines, reduction in time spent grazing and lying down) whether on pasture or in dry lot.
- Calves that had fence line contact showed relatively few behavioral signs of distress even in the first 48 hours following weaning. In the first 3-6 days following weaning, the cows and calves in the fence line group would spend a significant amount of time along the fence line separating them from each other and then make occasional grazing forays out into their respective adjacent pastures, usually as groups. By the end of the first week, the calves and cows in this treatment were largely living independently. Time spent grazing by the fence line calves was similar to that of the calves in the non-weaned control group from day one. This was reflected in the fact that weight gains of the fence line calves did not take the dip that was seen in the three totally separated treatments. Eventually, the cumulative weight gains of the calves in the non-weaned control treatment exceeded that of the fence line calves. However, after 10 weeks the cumulative weight gains of the fence line calves were still greater than those of the three totally separated calves; at 10 weeks post-weaning, the weight gains of the fence line calves were intermediate between the non-weaned control animals and the totally separated groups.
- Dr. Price found that the fence line separating the calves and cows in this treatment does not need to be excessively fortified. In five days of observation after weaning they did not see any animal making a concerted attempt to jump the fence or go through it. The fence they used was woven-wire fencing with mesh small enough to prevent the calves from getting their heads through the openings.
- I would be interested in working on a weaning project with someone interested in the fence line procedure for weaning. Rather than remodeling existing facilities, I would plan to use temporary electric fencing to supplement your existing fencing to demonstrate the benefits of this "new" approach of reducing stress at weaning. I'm now in the process of purchasing equipment needed for the project. If you are interested in participating, please contact Wayne Jensen at 805/934-6240.
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