Managing Light Weight Calves

By Warren Rusche

Weaning calves early is a powerful management tool to reduce demands on range and pasture. By pulling the calves off the cows earlier than normal, we can cut the cow’s daily forage intake by 25% or more. While early weaning offers a lot of potential to improve performance and cut costs on the cow side, the disadvantage of weaning calves early is that we’re faced with the choice of either selling a lighter than normal calf that will bring in less total dollars, or taking on the challenge of feeding 4 to 6 month old calves.

Nutrition
Early weaned calves can perform very well when fed high quality diets. Feed conversions around of about 5:1 (feed:gain) are certainly possible. Achieving that kind of performance requires that that calves consume a sufficient quantity of nutrients to meet their needs.

Calves of this age require a diet containing about 16% crude protein and 70% TDN. That typically means diets containing about 60% grain, plus 10-20% of higher protein ingredients such as soybean meal or distillers, with roughage making up the balance. Diets should also contain a vitamin/mineral supplement. This is especially important to support immune function and vaccine response.

Feed Cost
Feeding a “cheap” diet might not be the best option for starting light calves. Calves that don’t eat well during the first few days on feed often end up with health problems and/or poorer performance later in the feeding period. Feeding a more expensive diet (i.e. commercial creep or starter feeds) for the first 10 to 14 days might be justified if that results in more consistent intake initially. These feeds may also be a fit if an operation isn’t set up to mix and deliver small quantities of a starter ration.

Medical Attention
Keeping these calves healthy is also a concern. In some respects, these cattle transition through the weaning process in early fall easier than later in the year as they don’t have to deal with the potential of cold, snowy weather, plus there is still some disease protection from maternal antibodies. Producers should consult with their veterinarian to develop a management plan specifically for their operation. Keep in mind that this year a VFD is required for any feed-grade antibiotics. Calves coming from drought-stressed areas might require some additional attention if vaccine response is inadequate due to nutrient restrictions this summer.

Other Considerations

Some other suggested management tips include:

• Make sure the facilities will handle light calves. Smaller calves may not be able to access water and feed as easily in pens designed for larger cattle. Small calves can also slip through small holes or gaps in fences and gates much more easily. Some feedlot use wire panels over the feedbunks so that calves are less likely to escape but feed can still be delivered.
• Controlling dust in a drylot setting during drought can be a significant challenge. Some options include keeping group sizes small to minimize the amount the amount of dust kicked up in the air. Reducing pen size to about 60 square feet per calf also can help as well as make sure that calves are close to feed and water. Bedding the pens can also help, as well as sprinkling the pen surface with water.