Dairy calf weaning top tips

A successful weaning programme reduces stress, disease and ensures minimal disruption to dairy calf growth rates. Here are our tops tips for successful weaning.

Wean calves based on starter intake

The recommendation is to wean calves when, for three consecutive days, they eat at least:

• 1 kg of concentrate if calf starter is >22% crude protein or,
• 2 kg of concentrate, if calf starter is <22% crude protein

Gradually wean by reducing milk over a number of weeks

Weaning should be done gradually by reducing milk over a period of 7–14 days. This will increase concentrate intakes, avoid a growth check after weaning and minimise weaning distress. Reducing milk can be done by reducing the volume of milk fed per feed and/or reducing the number of feeds per day.

Avoid stressful situations such as disbudding or regrouping at the time of weaning calves

Stress at weaning affects a calf’s immune system for at least two weeks after weaning. This can make calves more susceptible to disease, particularly pneumonia, and can reduce growth rates.To reduce stress, make no changes to housing, feed, water or social groups for two weeks after weaning. Also avoid stressful procedures at/around weaning, such as vaccination, disbudding and castration.

Ensure fresh water is available at all times

Clean, fresh, ad-lib water must be provided from birth to encourage rumen development, concentrate intake and increase daily weight gains.