Tips for Successful Fenceline Weaning

Presently a lot of hype exists over fenceline weaning, and one of the

reasons is because it is another low-stress handling tool. An important

advantage of managing cattle under minimum stress is that calm animals

produce better weight gains than stressed cattle and weight determines

animal value at market. Other advantages are less injury to livestock and

handlers, reduction of livestock health problems and fewer repairs on

handling facilities. With the public's concern over animal cruelty, it is

imperative that we handle our cattle as gently as possible.

"For most ranchers, fenceline weaning is leaving calves in the corral and

cows outside in the pasture," says Ron Gill with Texas AgriLife Extension.

"To me, the true concept of fenceline weaning is leaving calves and cows in

pastures with just a fence between them. Technically speaking, I guess both

systems are fenceline weaning, but the costs, management requirements and

benefits are very different between the two methods."

Fenceline weaning is defined by beef cattle specialists at Texas AgriLife

Extension Service as a management system in which calves are removed from

the cows but are allowed to see, hear and smell their dams. Depending on the

type of fencing, physical contact may also be possible.

"Removal of a calf from its mother is second only to birth in creating

stress," states Clyde Lane Jr., professor of animal science at the

University of Tennessee. "Weaning stress can be reduced by letting calves

become familiar with the pasture where weaning will take place. This can be

accomplished by moving cows and calves into the weaning pasture a few days

before the weaning process begins. During this time calves can learn from

their dams where feed and water are located. Calves can also learn from

their dams that it is alright to eat the feed and drink the water. At

weaning, remove cows from the weaning area and leave the calves in place."

Gill recommends, "Either hand or creep feed calves before weaning. Calves

that are used to eating feed when they are weaned undergo less stress and

lose very little weight, if any. If calves are weaned in the fall, range

cubes can be fed during the summer, which is more economical than creep

feed. The cubes provide supplemental protein needed by cows on dry grass and

give calves an opportunity to learn to eat feed."

"Fenceline weaning requires planning and flexibility based on climatic

conditions, rainfall patterns and forage availability," states Gill. "If you

don't receive adequate rainfall and ample forage is not available, then you

might have to change to drylot weaning."

Rick Machen with Texas AgriLife Extension Service says, "On weaning day, no

additional processing such as castrating, dehorning, vaccinating or branding

should be done to the cows or the calves. Complete these practices at least

three weeks before weaning and preferably before the calves are three months

of age. If additional work is done at weaning, it will lead to increased

stress and anxiety and make it much more difficult to keep cows and calves

separated once turned back to pasture."

Fenceline weaning may not be feasible for every ranch because pastures have

to be available and in the right locations so that calves can be placed

across the fence from their dams. Fences must be strong enough to keep cows

and calves separated and to prevent the calves from nursing. However, they

should allow nose-to-nosed contact between a calf and its dam.

Check out Nathan Boles' article on Fenceline Weaning

http://www.cattlemanagement.com/fenceline-weaning  for his experience and

ideas about weaning calves with the fenceline process.

What's been your experience with fenceline weaning? Leave a comment in the

"Speak your Mind" box below.

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