Influence of Weaning Strategy on Animal Welfare in Beef Calves

Stephen F Austin State University, Baker Pattillo Student Center, Twilight and Grand Ballrooms

Alternative strategies can affect the amount of stress that calves encounter at weaning. The strategies being evaluated in this study are fenceline, two-stage, and traditional abrupt. Fenceline weaning involves placing the calves in a pasture adjacent to their cows so they can have contact with each other through the fence. Two-stage weaning utilizes anti-suckling devices that clip into the calves noses and prevent them from suckling their cows. The calves remain with the cows for a short amount of time, then they are weaned and separated from their cows. This allows the stressors of weaning to be faced in two stages. The traditional abrupt weaning is accomplished by separating the calves from the cows and placing them in separate pastures where they have no contact.