Teagasc researcher and vet, John Donlon, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the main issues that arise around weaning time and how to prevent them.

It’s been a difficult year for cows and calves and performance of some calves has been impacted by the extended spring and grazing conditions and weather. John says that many calves may have had health issues in the spring and it is important to reduce stress now at weaning.

He explains that delaying weaning will only further cause issues by a number of actions taking place in a shorter period of time, along with the weaning process, such as housing, if weather conditions are poor.

John highlights that there are a wide range of weaning protocols. However the principals are similar to the fact that the maternal bond is broken gently by forward creeping calves, concentrates are introduced 4 weeks pre-weaning, dosing for lungworm and or stomach worms is carried out prior to weaning and only removing a third of the cows a week to ensure calves are not stressed.

John also discusses the key points to consider when implementing a vaccination programme with the vet to reduce the incidence of pneumonia when housing takes place.

Further information from AHI on ‘Management of the Suckler Calf at Weaning to Prevent Pneumonia’ can be found at:

https://www.animalhealthireland.ie/ckfinder/userfiles/files/20120919%20CAC%20Suckler%20Final%20Webversion(2).pdf

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

 
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