A little off topic- weaning beef calves

Well, it's that time of the year I guess. I have 2 calves born 4/21, 2 early may, 1 mid may, and one that was late-late June. What is the best procedures for weaning. I was planning on running them into a corral,12'x32' with a 10'x12' 3 sided shelter. The south side of the corral faces the north of the pasture and is separated by cattle panels and with lumber on top and bottom, they can see the mamas. Do the calves need to be nnalert at weaning? Would the calves be better off in the larger 1.5 acre fenced yard (dirt-no growing grass right now), also adjacent to the cows. They are on free choice creep feed, and will have free choice hay. I am guessing the biggest are 500-600# and the youngest about 350#. As previously posted the 2 heifers I want to keep as replacements will probably be separated with less feed. Give me some pointers please.

You probably read the post a week ago about the NIGHTMARE that I had the morning after I weaned mine. Half of mine are brought across the road where the mamas can't see them. The rest are within sight of them. Doesn't really make any difference as far as the bawling goes. Just go ahead and put them in the pen that you have there. Just be aware that there's NOTHING harder to hold than a cow and a calf that want to get back together. If they're on creep,just keep on with that,give them good hay and keep them bedded well. As far as vaccinating at weaning,I wait a month or so. As long as you have a closed herd (you're not bringing in other calves from other herds) you're not in any danger of spreading anything. They've already been exposed to all the same things. If they do get out on you,I hope you have better weather for getting them rounded back up than I did.

This is not rocket science; just separate them. Since you're (probably) gonna run them through a pen/corral, this is a good time to catch up on vaccinations/worming, tagging, etc.......whatever procedure you follow. Only one word of advice, always move the calves, NEVER the cows; if you move the cows from the pasture they're used to running in, they'll try to go back 'home'.

For the last 3 years I have been penning the cows and letting the calves have the pasture, it takes about 2 weeks. Make sure the calves water and feed is as far from the cow pen as possible, the first few days they will stay by the pen - then start moving around and grazing, after a week or so they should be sleeping near the feed area. Feed the cows good hay and what ever else you normally give them this time of year. The heifers need to be nnalert and boostered, also calfhood bangs nnalert, where I live a Vet has to give the Bangs vaccination. Follow with a vaccination series such as Virasheild and Vision 8 -- these two have to be boostered 4 weeks apart,then yearly vaccination. There are several catalogs to order vaccines from but I always buy from my local Vet because he can advise about what is safe for pregnant cows, lactating etc. and the best nnalert combinations for my area. I am convinced by 12 years results that a regular vaccination program is some of the best money spent on my herd.

Seems a little early to me I let mine go for 6 to 8 months doesn't hurt them at all. When I'm ready to sell at about 8 to 12 months they go without a sound. My neighbor always weened his early and the cow bellowing was heard all over the neighborhood.
the cow will ween then when she drys up. The extra milk will help the calf put on weight and you have problems with the cows getting mastitis.
Walt

Takes an awful lot out of the cow though. Having 500-600 pound calves on them,had mine to where you could see every rib on about every cow out there. The calves have been off for 9 days now and the difference is like night and day. Nar'y a rib to be seen.

I have had better luck with a bigger pin. I use about an acre lot with 6 strands of smooth HT wire with over 4kv on it. This works better for me than the 30X60 pin with pannels my granddad used. Seeing as how you are going to be mess'n with them any way go on and get the vacs up to date, tatoo'n, tag'n, cutt'n what ever you need to do. Stress is stess go on and get it all over with in one day, they will start put'n on lbs faster. 350 is a little on the small side to my thinking but they will be fine, go on and get that one too, no sence gett'n the herd back up in 6 weeks again. Get'n the calves off now will mean the cows will go into winter in better shape. It's alot easier to keep condition on a momma when she's dry. If you have already had a frost and you are going to have to get the cows penned up to seperate, hit'm with a good pour on as they go out the gate too. Keep the two replacements with the others for a while, a group of 6 will be easier to get settled down and on feed than a group of 4 and another group of 2. They ain't gonna get to fat on ya in 3-4 weeks. You will have plenty of time to get them how you want them this winter.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

Dave

Dave, not off topic at all since you use your tractor to raise cattle, right? I use a 2 acre pen and HOT wire. It keeps them separated and in the right pen. Fence line weaning really works well for me. Closed herd is the way to go because healthy animals breed more healthy animals. Black color and 450 pounds is about ideal here (Central Oklahoma) for selling prices and also weaning. Feed them about every other day so they will rustle for other food. Grow them to at least 65 percent of their fully grown weight before breeding. IF you breed too early they are "ruined" in my book. E mail open if you need to ask more. Many guys on here have excellent ideas so ask all you want.