2015 Weaning

Our calving season is March through April, so we typically wean our calves in early September. We weaned calves from our two cow herds on September 23 and 24. The calves were loaded and hauled to the feedlot barn to be weighed, and vaccinated.

 

Calves from each of the two farms were sorted by heifers and steers and weighed. The heifer and steer calves from each farm averaged...

 

herd 1 (5+ year old cows)
heifer average    550

steer average    679
 

herd 2 (2-4 year old cows)
heifer average    472

steer average    563
 

Weaning weights were recorded from our scales. We were extremely pleased with the weaning weights of the calves! Weights were much heavier than last year. These weights told us that our management was excellent. Over the years, we have developed a great herd health program with our veterinarian. Our herd nutrition was on point. In addition to pasture and hay, we fed oatlage to out cattle herds. The calves had corn, oats, and cotton seed hulls available to them in creep feeders. And, our cattle always have a supply of salt and mineral to meet their needs. We are always improving or looking for ways to improve.  The weights from calves at each farm were then entered onto a spreadsheet. In 2006, I developed a spreadsheet to track weaning weights. It has been very beneficial in the management of our calves.  

 

records are extremely important to our management

 

After being weighed, calves received a series of shots: 2cc Bovi-Shield Gold, 2cc 20/20 Vision 7, 4cc of Vitamins ADE, and 8cc of BP48 (to prevent illness). No calves have been treated for illness since being weaned. That is always our goal.

 

Calves were fed a ration of oats, corn, cotton seed hulls, and hay when first weaned. Now, they are fed corn, soybean meal, Vitamins, and hay.

 

We have been very pleased with the gain. And, I have been starting to select replacement heifers to retain.