utritional stressors should be considered.
Laying the groundwork for good herd health should begin early in a calf’s life. Routine practices such as dehorning and castration should be done early in a calf’s life rather than closer to weaning time. Calves should be castrated at 3 months of age or less to minimize stress. When bulls are castrated beyond 400 lbs., there is an increased risk of sickness and death, in addition to reduced gains and efficiency. The least stressful dehorning technique is of course the use of polled genetics. However, when horns are present it is best to remove them earlier in the calf’s lifetime, ideally between 2 and 4 months of age, and to choose the method based on calf age and size of the horns. If possible avoid dehorning and castration during fly season to reduce the risk of infection.
The event of weaning in itself is also a very stressful time early in a calf’s life. There are numerous management practices that can reduce the stress of weaning. Sorting and hauling freshly weaned calves to the sale facility the day before the auction can result in increased shrink compared to preconditioned calves. Stress at weaning can increase the likelihood of calves developing respiratory infections. Additional stress results when calves are introduced to unfamiliar surroundings post-weaning. Give calves access to the weaning area a few days before weaning. Corrals, drylots, or small pastures can serve as weaning facilities. Good fences will
prevent calves from returning to their mothers to nurse. Small lots may reduce fence walking or pacing, but dust or mud can become problems in dry or wet conditions.
Fenceline weaning, where calves remain in sight of and close to their mothers, may reduce weaning stress. Cows will initially graze close to their calves gradually moving further away during the days after weaning. One strategy involves initial nose-to-nose contact between cows and calves followed by gradual increases in separation distance by moving electrified wires or tapes further from each side. Train cattle to respect electric fencing prior to weaning to facilitate the weaning process. Fenceline weaning also allows high-quality pastures to be used as weaning facilities in place of dusty drylots. Allow calves to creep-graze into these high-quality pastures prior to weaning to give calves time to become familiar with their surroundings prior to weaning, at which point the creep-gate can simply be closed. Properly weaned calves are “bawled out” and readily consuming feed and water well before the preconditioning period ends.
When cows or calves are not provided adequate nutrients to meet their needs from high quality feed or forage they experience a nutritional stress. Calves, young cows, older cows, pregnant cows, and lactating cows all have increased requirements. Forage alone may not be enough to meet increased requirements. In addition, stressed calves, following weaning, eat less or not at all, therefore it is important to provide a more concentrated source of energy and protein for these calves, as well as a good quality source of hay. A good mineral program is important for all stages of production. Minerals and vitamins are vital for numerous functions, such as the immune system, reproductive performance, and growth.
Calves also experience a multitude of stressors from the environment. Providing a clean, comfortable environment can help to minimize the effects of these stressors. Temperature fluctuations outside of an animal’s comfort zone cause added stress. During periods of high heat and humidity and little wind, take actions to minimize the effects of heat stress as cattle are processed. Small practices such as providing adequate water, avoiding handling cattle when the risk of heat stress is high, and if cattle must be handled work them before the Heat Index reaches 84, can make a big difference. Heat management tools, such as shades and sprinklers, should be considered if sufficient natural shade is not available. Extreme cold and wind conditions exist when the wind chill index is bel