anyone wean spring calves yet?

Dunedin

thinking of starting at the weekend.

It's getting to the time now and once they are weaned, the calves get the good grass and the cows can lick off the ground elsewhere - no tetany either once weaned.

TITANIUM.

Dunedin wrote: »

thinking of starting at the weekend.

It's getting to the time now and once they are weaned, the calves get the good grass and the cows can lick off the ground elsewhere - no tetany either once weaned.

Weaned the first batch last week.
Seem to have settled down now and picking away at a shake of Ration

just do it

Weaned last Wednesday. Nuts and fresh reseeded grass. Cows back in where I sprayed on Friday.

blue5000

No. I still have to divide the bulls from heifers. Only born in March though.

Charliebull

will wean the end of month when after grass is ready for them, they are grazing ahead of cows and eating a bit of meal at the moment, first year trying it and its working so far, they are like pet lambs at the moment,

Dunedin

Charliebull wrote: »

they are grazing ahead of cows and eating a bit of meal at the moment, first year trying it and its working so far, they are like pet lambs at the moment,

It's by far the best way to wean. I normally do it like that but haven't time with work this year so reverting to the traditional way 😉

just do it

Charliebull wrote: »

will wean the end of month when after grass is ready for them, they are grazing ahead of cows and eating a bit of meal at the moment, first year trying it and its working so far, they are like pet lambs at the moment,

Have they still access to cows?

Charliebull

just do it wrote: »

Have they still access to cows?

they are only in the next paddock so they can see them and I let them back under the wire at night, noticed some of the stronger ones dont bother going back every night, will start to stop them going back soon

cows are worse than the calves bawling over at them

bogman_bass

only weaned the last two of the autumn calvers last night!

Dozer1

planning on weaning them in the next 2 weeks,
by the way how long a "dry" period do you guys have for your suckler cows, I normally wean and then they are calving again in 3-4 months although a few have had less time.

just do it

Cows should have a minimum 2 month break between lactations.

farmers101

What months would these calves be? Weight and breed?

just do it

farmers101 wrote: »

What months would these calves be? Weight and breed?

Which calves?

farmers101

just do it wrote: »

Which calves?

Spring born calves that are weaned?

just do it

farmers101 wrote: »

Spring born calves that are weaned?

Mine are Jan born and by weaning they will have good quality grass for 5-6 weeks before sale (aftergrass on reseeded ground). Cows can go on older poorer quality swards therefore making the most of available good grass i.e. stretch it out. Some decent bulls that need meal now that milk quantity and grass quality is dropping to keep them gaining weight. Also it just suits me. Ideally I'd like to get 1 or 2 regular buyers like severeoversteer. I've a lad in mind that I might get to visit in a few weeks when they're back shining again; )

Dunedin

as a matter of interest, how many here would vaccinate calves at weaning for pneumonia i.e. IBR/RSP

Count Mondego

Feburary and March born calves here. Separated the boys and girls about 2 weeks ago and will wean them in around 2 - 3 weeks time. Everything will go into separate sheds for a week rather than havin the land torn up by the cows.

Will vaccinate the weanlings going into the shed in November/Dec for pneumonia but I don't think there is any need before that.

Does anyone have a creep contraption that they fix to a gate to allow calves to get fresh grass in the next field? If you have could you post a pic.

Thanks.

max12

Count Mondego wrote: »

will wean them in around 2 - 3 weeks time. Everything will go into separate sheds for a week rather than havin the land torn up by the cows.



Thanks.

as a matter of interest, when weaning would it be better to have the cows and calves where they can see each other easy or block off line of sight altogether. that is when putting into a shed - say you had calves on one side and cows on the other side

Charliebull

max12 wrote: »

as a matter of interest, when weaning would it be better to have the cows and calves where they can see each other easy or block off line of sight altogether. that is when putting into a shed - say you had calves on one side and cows on the other side

thats what I do, calves one side sows the other for a couple days and then calves go out after 3 days and cows after a week to seperate land blocks

Dunedin

Count Mondego wrote: »

Will vaccinate the weanlings going into the shed in November/Dec for pneumonia but I don't think there is any need before that.



Thanks.

I would recommend vaccinating a week before weaning. Weaning is stressful so therefore will bring on pneumonia quicker so you're missing out on a significant part of your vaccination by not doing them before weaning.

tanko

Dunedin wrote: »

as a matter of interest, how many here would vaccinate calves at weaning for pneumonia i.e. IBR/RSP

All calves here get two shots of rispoval 3, the second shot two weeks before weaning. Had an outbreak of pneumonia in weanlings five years ago and haven't had one case since I started vaccinating. Money well spent IMO.

Count Mondego

Dunedin wrote:

I would recommend vaccinating a week before weaning. Weaning is stressful so therefore will bring on pneumonia quicker so you're missing out on a significant part of your vaccination by not doing them before weaning.

If I vaccinate now before weaning won't I have to do it again in December when they're going into the shed? Surely it doesn't cover them for that long?

Count Mondego

max12 wrote:

as a matter of interest, when weaning would it be better to have the cows and calves where they can see each other easy or block off line of sight altogether. that is when putting into a shed - say you had calves on one side and cows on the other side

Maybe, have a cow shed and cattle shed so they get split.

yellow50HX

January and feb calves are pretty much ready so they ll be getting done in about 2 weeks, later ones will be done in October and the summer and authunm lads will stay with mammy till next year.

Kovu

Almost ready for the first two, bulls born mid Jan. Prob is the cows aren't due till mid-feb & apr.

One roughly 385kg & other 330kg. Will keep them in shed next week after the herd test if that goes well.

The Cuban

I'll wean them in the mart