Weaning

Handling Facilities

Well-designed facilities are essential to reducing cattle injury and stress during handling or treatment. Ideal facilities have: Good lighting without shadows, Ample space to reduce crowding, Working chutes that are curved and sufficiently narrow to maintain forward movement and prevent cattle from turning around, Dry and level ground conditions. An animal standing in the crowd […]

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Economics Calculators

Solution Notes This resource compares the costs associated with different preconditioning practices. This calculator helps project the price of either a heifer or a steer based on their weight and sale date. This calculator helps you assess your on-farm water needs and the estimated costs. This resource includes information on feed testing and how to

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Preconditioning

What is it? Preconditioning is a management practice that provides a significant health advantage to young calves. Definitions vary, but it usually includes: Keeping the calves for a minimum of 45 days after they’ve been weaned. Ensuring the calves are “bunk broke”, or used to eating food out of a bunk, before leaving the ranch.

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QuietWean Nose Paddles

What is it? QuietWean uses a simple technology consisting of a palm-sized flap made of hard plastic. While tough enough to withstand day-to-day use, it remains pliable for easy application. Creating a two-step weaning process, QuietWean allows for a healthy, quiet transition from mother’s milk to grazing. Its semi-circle design fits easily into the calves’

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Data Management

What is it? Data management software can be utilized by producers to capture, upload, and exchange information about individual cattle. The software aids in information flow between different operations and processing plants. Different data management platforms can also offer elements, such as: Age verification Calving records Nutrition and growth Antimicrobial use Health protocols and treatments

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Two-Stage Weaning

What is it? Benefits of two-stage weaning. Researched and developed by Dr. Derek Haley and Dr. Joe Stookey at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Weaning is the process of a calf switching from a milk-based diet to a diet of grazing. Two-stage weaning is a method of weaning in

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