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Two-step weaning is used to wean off beef calves from their dams over the space of a couple of weeks. With this method the calf is fitted with a nose flap that prevents suckling for a period of time, after which the calf is separated from the dam preventing contact. [27]
By offering creep feed, both the rate of weight gain and the weaning weight of the calf can be significantly improved. [1] It is used primarily with spring-born calves, as pasture quality at this time is declining, preventing the calf from finding the other 50% of its nutritive needs by grazing. [1] [3]
Many calves are also weaned when they are taken to the large weaner auction sales that are conducted in the south eastern states of Australia. Victoria and New South Wales have yardings (sale yard numbers) of up to 8,000 weaners (calves) for auction sale in one day. [7] The best of these weaners may go to the butchers.
Use of calf-weaning nose rings reduces the stress of weaning by separating it into two stages. First, the calf is weaned from suckling milk—this stage usually lasts up to 14 days. Then later the calf is separated from its dam. [3] Weaning nose rings are also available for sheep and goats.
A female bovine that has not yet had a calf is known as a heifer. An adult female that has had her first calf (or second calf, depending upon regional usage) is called a cow. Steers and heifers can sometimes be colloquially referred to as "cows," especially by non-agricultural people who are not familiar with the appropriate terminology.
Weaning can take place when a calf is consuming at least two pounds of starter feed a day and has been on starter for at least three weeks. [40] Milk replacer has climbed in cost US$15–20 a bag in recent years, so early weaning is economically crucial to effective calf management.
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Weaning is a very stressful time for a foal. [4] [5]: 231 A weaner also refers to an anti-suckling device, such as a metal or plastic flap or spiked ring placed over an animal's mouth to inhibit it from nursing from its mother, or stop persistent sucking behaviors on inappropriate objects, such as another calf's ears, or a dry cow's teats.
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