Are you Winning with Weaning?
Katie Callero, Dairy Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program
I had the opportunity before the holiday break to tune in to a webinar with Dr. Michael Steele, a calf expert and researcher at the University of Guelph. Dr. Steele was discussing new developments in calf nutrition and in doing so, challenged the current methods used on farms using the most up-to-date research to offer new weaning recommendations. Below are the webinar's 4 key points to help farms win with their weaning management strategies.
Age
It is recommended that calves are weaned no younger than 8 weeks old. Calves younger than 8 weeks simply can't eat enough to properly prepare their metabolisms and stomach to transition onto a fully solid diet.
Step-down Protocol
The best way to wean is with a step-down protocol that occurs over a 2-week period and includes multiple steps. A gradual weaning strategy is always preferred. Abrupt weaning disrupts the digestive microbial environment of the calf and is a high stress event for the calf, leading to reduced performance and more health challenges.
Solid Feed
There is a very large variation in available starter compositions. The starter feed that pre-weaned calves are offered should generally be >85% concentrate and <30% starch. Starch content can vary from 10-50% in commercially available starters, so double check your starter meets the listed standards. If your calves develop bubbly manure, they could be having acidosis, which results from excess starch, and is a sign their feed composition likely needs to be adjusted.
Housing
Group or pair housing of calves is encouraged as it can help increase starter intake. The increased intake of starter is thought to be due to social learning and taking cues to eat from one another. Any changes to housing should occur before or after weaning is completed. Housing changes that coincide with weaning will cause additional stress for the calf and when they are too stressed, the calves won't eat starter. Dr. Steele recommends waiting at least a week after weaning before moving calves to new housing.
Diagram provided by Dr. Steele
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Upcoming Events
NY Sheep Shearing School 2025
March 15, 2025
East Meredith, NY
This 2-day sheep shearing school is great for beginners and also for those who want to improve their current shearing skills. Doug Rathke, a seasoned shearer, knows what it takes to learn the art of shearing and he knows what it takes to teach it on a level so it can be understood and retained.
This class will give you the confidence to start shearing your own flock or take it to the next level and earn income by shearing for others.
Avian Disease and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - the latest updates and what it means for poultry health
March 18, 2025
In light of the state of HPAI across the country and in NYS, the Poultry Subgroup of the Livestock PWT has developed two webinars to assist small farms and backyard laying flock owners to make informed decisions around getting laying hens and managing disease, while keeping abreast of the current status of HPAI and how they can keep it out of their flocks.
Join Dr. Jarra Jagne of Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Chad Wall of NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for an evening of learning about avian disease, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). We'll cover:
- Updates on the HPAI outbreak
- Symptoms of HPAI
- Common small flock diseases
- HPAI disease look-alikes
- Keeping your birds safe
Shop Talk: Integrated Weed Management
March 19, 2025
Andover, NY
Mike Hunter, Field Crop IPM Coordinator, will share his knowledge on managing weeds. The discussion will cover various management practices in both conventional and organic settings, including herbicide-resistant weeds.
Announcements
Transition Heifer Calf Program
Join us for this hand-on program and demos! We will be offering this program in English and in Spanish.Calf and heifer managers, dairy herdspersons, farm owners, and heifer raisers interested in learning more about how to better house and manage animals as they transition from the calf phase to the weaned heifer phase.
Topics covered:
Nutrition
Health
Housing Management
Inventory Management
Biosecurity: All attendees must wear clean clothes and boots. You will be required to scrub and disinfect footwear upon arrival to the program and before leaving.
Registration: $25 per person (includes lunch)