By Blake Jackson
“For cattle producers who retain their calves after weaning, calf performance is crucial for a successful operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
Davis explained that with narrow profit margins, producers need to focus on maximizing calf performance while reducing health and management issues that can become costly after weaning. He noted that strong-performing calves can also improve a producer’s reputation and help increase future demand and sale value.
“Handling stressful tasks before weaning helps calves achieve better performance after weaning,” says Davis. He recommends completing dehorning and castration early in a calf’s life to reduce stress and minimize negative effects on growth.
Davis advises producers to select polled sires during breeding to avoid horn development whenever possible. If calves do develop horns, they should be removed early.
Castration should also take place when calves are young, ideally before three months of age, to reduce stress and maintain performance.
“Health and vaccination programs help calves develop a proper immune system for success before and after weaning,” says Davis. He encourages producers to work with veterinarians to build customized herd health and vaccination programs that support calf health and productivity throughout the production cycle.
Davis also highlighted the benefits of feed additives and implants for improving weight gain and feed efficiency. “Ionophores and implants are cost-effective methods for increasing calf weight,” says Davis. However, he cautioned that implants should not be used in breeding replacement heifers because of potential reproductive impacts.
In addition, Davis recommends low-stress weaning systems such as fenceline weaning, where calves maintain visual contact with cows after separation. “Low-stress methods like fenceline weaning lead to better calf performance after weaning,” says Davis.
Davis added that proper calf management before and after weaning can improve profitability while helping producers maintain a strong reputation in the cattle industry.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-pamwalker68
Categories: Missouri, Livestock, Beef Cattle