There are a variety of things that can add stress to weaned calves within their environment, leading to health issues and poor performance. Limiting their exposure to certain stress factors can help decrease the negative response to weaning.
Common environmental stress factors for calves recently weaned can often include weather shifts including storms, heat or dust, according to Karla Wilke, University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor and Extension cow-calf stocker management specialist. Other factors include unfamiliar feed, water source changes, relocation and intense handling.
One factor Wilke adds to the list producers might not realize is the impact of drought on weaned calves entering stocker programs.
“I think particularly this year, with the severe drought in so many places, the grass is dried up and so many nutrients important for immunity are in short supply which could compromise immunity,” Wilke explains.
Weather is a big stress factor during weaning, and it is recommended to monitor severe weather before weaning calves. Weaning right before a big storm or during a heat wave might not be in the animal’s best interest.
Set the Stage: Preparing Facilities and Pens for Separation
Russ Euken, Iowa State University Extension livestock specialist, says stress factors can also change depending on the weaning method. Fence line weaning has advantages and disadvantages, but so do nose flaps, for example.
Regardless of the method, once calves are fully separated from the cow, their environmental details will matter.
“Focus on high-quality, nutrient-dense fresh feed, access to clean water, adequate bunk space, low dust or low mud pen surface, and access to shade or shelter,” Euken explains.
Another suggestion to decrease stress in the weaned calf’s environment that might depend on facility setup and weaning method is introducing the calf to the weaning area before weaning it. Euken adds sometimes reduced pen space will keep the calves from walking fence lines and will help reduce stress.
Bunk and Booster: Pairing Proper Nutrition with Vaccinations
Preparing the environment is just as important as preparing the animal. Euken says the small things like making adjustments to bunk heights, waterers and ensuring fences are in good shape ahead of weaning are important.
Wilke’s tips to reduce stress include following the vaccination protocol and booster schedule outlined by the producer’s veterinarian and ensuring proper nutrition.
“Providing feed that meets protein, energy, vitamins and minerals in a highly digestible, palatable ration, making sure the water source is reachable,” she says.
If the calves’ new water source is an automatic waterer, make sure they know how to use it.
“In early weaning, making sure calves can reach the bunk and water source and are secure in the pen, and watering down a pen or providing bedding to reduce dust can decrease stress,” she adds.
Access to the right nutrients is essential to building the animals’ immunity and staying healthy, but making sure they actually consume the necessary nutrients is vital.
“Monitoring calves and getting them all to eat and drink as soon as possible are big keys to health,” Euken explains.
Vigilance Pays Off: Managing High-Risk Calves
Signs of poor health often include poor appetite and dehydration. Wilke says if conditions out of the producer’s control may be stressful, watching for signs of decline and staying vigilant about illness indicators can help catch a disease or infection early.
Calves more vulnerable to environmental stress are usually narrowed down to the ones that did not get a good start in life.
“Maybe they were born to a thin cow with poor-quality colostrum, or calves that did not receive a good vaccination program,” Wilke lists. “Calves that had an extended period of time in transport, or transition from the home location to the weaned location are more vulnerable.”
If nutrition and vaccination programs are strong, one change Wilke suggests producers make is exposing the calves to some of the commodities in the weaning ration while still with the cow.
“If a producer was going to use dried distillers grains, for example, as a commodity in the calf ration, if pairs could be supplemented for a couple of weeks before weaning, then the calves are familiar with that feed when offered it after weaning and they eat the diet provided more readily,” she explains.
Taking time to limit environmental factors that increase stress levels in weaned calves makes a difference in overall health and future performance. Stressful experiences that are necessary should be spread out over time.
Your Next Reads:
- Cutting Stress, Cutting Sickness: Weaning Lessons from Hart Farms
- Do the Common Things Uncommonly Well: Weaning Strategies That Work
- The Biggest Weaning Mistake? Having No Plan at All
This article is part of Drovers’ Weaning Strategies and Preparation Week. Weaning is a high-stakes milestone when herd health, nutrition and marketing strategies must align perfectly. Throughout the week, the Drovers team will share expert-backed tips to minimize stress on your calves — and your bottom line. Bookmark our weaning resource hub to stay updated.
