Abstract
Early removal of the calf from its dam reduces forage needs of the cow-calf enterprise and has been found to improve BW gain and pregnancy rates in the cow herd. However, early weaning may not always be economically viable for producers and the risk should be considered carefully. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of early and normal weaning of steer and heifer calves on net income at weaning. Calves from Angus xHereforddams were randomly assigned to one of two weaning treatments. Calves were either early weaned (EW) at 80-d of age or remained with their dams until normal weaning (NW) at 213-d of age. Calves assigned to EW treatment received a 17.5% crude protein and 0.82 Mcal/kg net energy diet for approximately 130-d in a drylot. All economic analyses were conducted at normal weaning for both NW and EW calves. At normal weaning, price of steers ($US/kg) was lower (P = 0.003) and weaned steer value ($US/steer) was greater (P P = 0.18) was found in price of heifers ($US/kg) and weaned heifer value ($US/heifer) between NW and EW heifers. Feed cost was increased (P P
Highlights
In extensive arid and semi-arid environments, interannual precipitation is highly variable and drought situations can commonly occur
Weaning calves early can result in improved animal performance by increasing pregnancy rates, cow body condition scores [5], and increased steer carcass quality [6]; while reducing forage needs of the cow-calf enterprise
At time of normal weaning, price ($US/45 kg) of steers were greater (P = 0.003; Table 1) for NW steer compared to early weaned (EW) steers
Summary
In extensive arid and semi-arid environments, interannual precipitation is highly variable and drought situations can commonly occur. During these drought situations, forage supply is reduced, pressuring cow-calf management to consider appropriate stocking rates and their effect on acceptable reproductive and calf weaning performance. Weaning calves early can result in improved animal performance by increasing pregnancy rates, cow body condition scores [5], and increased steer carcass quality [6]; while reducing forage needs of the cow-calf enterprise. Early weaning has been reported to improve overall calf gain, efficiency, and quality grades of steers [7]. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of early (approx. 80-d) and normal (approx. 215-d) weaning of steer and heifer calves on net income at weaning and total cost of heifer development
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