Weaning Calves in Two Steps Reduces Stress
Posted April 26, 2002
Tweet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, April 26, 2002 2002-04-21-WCVM
Weaning Calves in Two Steps Reduces Stress
Recent findings by University of Saskatchewan veterinary scientists could
revolutionize the way beef calves are weaned.
Traditionally, cows and calves are separated abruptly at weaning time,
thereby denying the calves not only the milk, but also physical and social
contact with their mothers. The result is that distressed cows and their
calves engage in incessant calling for four to five days after weaning. They
walk around aimlessly and spend less time eating, ruminating and resting,
which reduces weight gain. Some calves actually become ill and have to be
treated with antibiotics, contributing to public concern about antibiotic
resistance.
Now Derek Haley, a PhD student in large animal clinical sciences at the
Western College of Veterinary Medicine, has come up with a two-step weaning
technique that essentially eliminates weaning stress and results in more
humane treatment of livestock.
Haley has found that calves weaned in two steps -- first denying them milk
for a few days by use of an anti-sucking device, and then separating them
from their mothers -- were less disturbed by weaning than calves weaned by
conventional methods. Weaning in two steps is also easier on the cows.
The key is a small, inexpensive piece of plastic, designed like a bread
clip, that clips onto the partition between the animal's nostrils to prevent
access to the teat at weaning time. The calf can still drink water and graze
normally.
With funding from the Saskatchewan Agricultural Development Fund, Haley and
his supervisor Joseph Stookey tested the weaning device on half of a group
of calves, preventing them from sucking but still allowing them to graze and
be close to their mothers. After separation, the cows that were prepared for
separation in this way called out 85 per cent less often, walked 80 per cent
less, and spent 25 per cent more time eating compared to calves weaned the
traditional way.
The calves weaned in two steps were also onto their feed quicker, avoiding
the yo-yo feeding habits of traditionally weaned calves that can stunt
growth.
Big cattle producers have taken notice. Since the team's findings were
published in BEEF Magazine, the researchers have received more than 100
calls and e-mails.
"Anti-sucking devices have been around for years to prevent dairy calves
from sucking on other calves, but no one had really considered anti-sucking
devices as a practical way to wean beef calves from their mothers," says
Stookey.
He says this simple two-step method might also be adapted for weaning other
livestock.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Derek Haley
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7056
Prof. Joseph Stookey
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7154
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
