Early Weaning Beef Calves

Early weaning is a management practice that reduces grazing pressure on pastures by decreasing the nutrient requirements of cows. Calves that are weaned early are relatively efficient at converting feed to gain, and can weigh as much, or more than, calves allowed to remain with their dams until a conventional weaning age is reached. Balanced diets with excellent physical, chemical, and palatability characteristics are essential to stimulate intake and induce calves to perform at acceptable levels. Every effort should be made to minimize stress on calves during the weaning period. Early weaned calves, if exposed to high-starch diets at a young age, may be more likely to reach their genetic potential to marble than calves weaned at conventional ages.