Cow-Calf Commentary for Iowa Cattleman Magazine
By Randie Culbertson, Cow-Calf Extension Specialist
September 2025
Low Stress Weaning
Weaning is a stressful event for cattle and can negatively impact calf health and performance after the event, and with the current feeder calf prices, every pound matters.
A combination of factors contributes to the stress, including the weaning event, handling and processing, transportation, new feed ingredients, and environmental stressors such as dust and extreme temperatures. The degree to which the calf experiences these stressors could also exacerbate the weaning event. Stress can depress the calf's immune system, often leading to a greater risk of sickness and death. Therefore, focusing on management strategies to reduce the stress associated with weaning can improve health and performance. These strategies help divide the weaning process into two stages: physical separation of the calf from the dam as well as separation from milk as a nutritional source. Three common methods of weaning are complete separation, fence line, and anti-suckling devices such as a nose flap. Whatever the method of choice is for weaning, there are pros and cons.
Complete Separation
The traditional and most common weaning method involves separating the calves from the dams where there is no physical, visual, or auditory contact with the calves. Often, the calves would be removed to a new environment, such as a new pasture, sold, or moved to a drylot, but in other cases, the cows would be moved to a new area, leaving the calves in the pasture they are accustomed to. Advantages to this method are that it allows the operation to sell the calf right off the cow, decreasing the need to purchase feed for calves, and reduces the amount of handling during the weaning process. Disadvantages are a lot of bawling and searching, which can result in a decrease in feed intake and resting, as well as an increase in stress in the calves. Ultimately, the risk of largest shrink is associated with this weaning process, so it may not be ideal for producers planning on selling calves shortly after weaning.
Fenceline Weaning
Fenceline weaning involves the separation of cows and calves, but they are in adjacent pens to allow animals to see, hear, and smell each other, but it prevents nursing. Advantages of this method are that it is less stressful compared to a complete separation, and animals spend less time bawling and searching, allowing for more time eating and resting. Disadvantages are that calves would be handled a second time. Facilities may also be a limitation of implementing this strategy.
Anti-suckling Devices
Anti-sucking devices are often referred to as two-step weaning. Anti-suckling nose flaps or rings are placed in the calves noses 4 to 7 days before complete separation from the dam. The device prevents the calf from suckling, allowing the calf and dam to remain together in the same pasture, but the calf has to adjust to not nursing while still being close to their dam. The retention rate for these devices is reported at 95% with calves weighing less than 425 lbs. are more likely to lose the devise. This method reduces the stress of calves with reduced bawling and searching compared to complete separation. The calves spend more time eating and resting and no additional pastures are needed since everyone remains in the same area during this process. If facilities are not available for fenceline weaning, this may method may be a viable option. The downside of this method is that calves are handled more resulting in increased labor for putting in and removing the devices, the devices can interfere with normal eating and drinking, and initial purchasing cost should be considered.
Why does this matter?
It’s inevitable that weaning will result in some degree of weight loss. Reducing stress decreases the risk of health issues in the calves, as well as helping calves adjust to minimize decreases in feed intake and reduced weight gains. Keeping calves on familiar feed and in the same pasture location can help to transition the calves. Focusing on reducing stress near weaning can also increase feedlot performance and avoid decreases in marbling potential and other desirable carcass characteristics.
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