Evaluation of ForageBased Weaning Systems in Spring Born

Evaluation of Forage-Based Weaning Systems in Spring Born Cross-Breed Beef Calves Ronnie Helmondollar Randolph Co WVU Extension service

Objective Evaluate different supplements that may be used when weaning calves in a foragebased system Determine the effect of early weaning on cow condition score

Why? • Preconditioned calves have more market value than non-weaned calves • The biggest expense in a weaning program is feed cost • Cow Condition is a secondary benefit

Treatments • Three treatments – Commercial Pellet (Treatment I) – Ground Corn/mineral premix (Treatment II) – Pasture and mama (Treatment III)

Methods • Weights were taken at: – Pre-weaning vaccination (Early August) • Calves were blocked by sex, AOD and weight – Weaning (Early September) • Randomly assigned to treatments within blocks – Post Weaning (45 days- mid-October) • Treatment three calves were weaned at this time Cow weights, BCS and ultrasound measurements were recorded at each of the three weigh periods

Weaning Management • Vaccination – IBR, BVD I & II, PI 3, Lepto – Clostridial – Haemophilus somnus – Pasturella – Dewormed, external parasites – Dry lot until moved to pasture plots – 5 -7 days

Paddocks • Aftermath hay field – orchard grass, clover, fescue, bluegrass • Strip grazed – polywire was moved once a week or sooner if needed • Supplements were bunk feed once a day

Results

Treatment

Year

Treatment x year

Sex of calf

Sex x year

Age of Dam

Cow information

Economic analysis of feeding energy supplement on pasture backgrounding programs Mean weight gain (kg) Mean cost of weight gain ($) 1 52. 27 21. 45 91. 87 0. 411 1. 76 1. 349 2 46. 32 12. 89 81. 58 0. 278 1. 76 1. 482 3 46. 70 --- Treatment Mean value of gain* ($) Mean cost of marginal gain ($) Mean marginal value of gain*($) Net return per kg

Discussion • Calves can be weaned in a forage system without sacrifice weight gain • Steer calves gain more than heifer calves • AOD can have an effect on weight gain • Weather differences can effect weight gain

Discussion cont’d • BCS can be improved by weaning calves • BCS changes are maintained into the next breeding season • Corn has a net advantage over a pelleted feed (processing corn will add to the cost of using corn)

Collaboration • WVDA Land Division - Huttonsville Unit cows and calves were used as part of this project. • Students from WVU Animal Science unit assisted with data collection

Thank you!! Questions?