What should I consider before restocking after the drought or the fire

The last few weeks have seen a dramatic turn around in many parts of NSW and Qld.  It’s been very exciting to get phone calls from clients telling me they have full dams, and green paddocks again.  Of course the drought isn’t over for many people in the western and southern areas yet. And its also important to remember a lot of the recent rain has been storm rain and so its been a bit patchy.

Nonetheless there are quite a few people now starting to talk about restocking and getting business going again.  If you are thinking along these lines, I thought it would be worth taking the time to cover some key points before you become too committed.

1.     Pastures  

No doubt the green paddocks do look impressive.  I have even seen some offers of agistment already.  However, you need to make some objective assessments of what is really growing.  What species have recovered from the drought (or fire).  How well established are they?  

At the very least you need to do some monitoring or herbage mass and growth rates.  How much do you really have now in kilograms of dry matter / ha (kg / DM / Ha)

How much pasture do you really have in Kg / DM /Ha?

I’d also encourage you to think how fast is it growing?  Sub soil moisture takes some time to replenish and its possible the plants you have don’t have roots that go deep or are using the topsoil layer and the moisture from falls recently.  For your pastures to do well they need moisture and nutrition.  These could still be lacking in some areas.

Lastly, do a fodder budget.  How much feed is growing now?  How much do you have?  How long will it last?  

Source: Evergraze

Consider your pasture growth curve and manage stock numbers to pasture growth

Remember some areas will soon enter the traditional winter feed gap.  Plants will slow their growth and this really means that what you grow in the next four weeks is likely to have to last until Spring.  So that needs t be assessed and entered into your calculations for stock numbers.

2.     Weeds  

I wrote previously about the impact of weeds and the risks with poisoning and animal health.  You need to check that not all the green you see are due to weeds or less desirable species.  Weeds need to be controlled and removed not only for your animals, but to give your pastures the opportunity to grow. 

“Weeds need to be controlled for both your animal health and for your pasture to thrive”

It’s important not to be complacent with weeds.  Don’t assume that weeds will be restricted to areas you fed in.  The dust storms will have spread weeds, as will birds and feral animals that snuck in to eat rations you provided.  Weed seeds will have spread further than you think, so keep looking for their emergence.

 3.     Purchasing Livestock – Do the numbers!!  

The last few weeks have seen the market rapidly spike with the demand for stock as people try to get animals into programs.  Before you start to purchase stock I cannot stress enough the importance of doing some correct economic calculations!  The best way to do this is to use an enterprise gross margin.  

Gross margins are great in allowing you to do comparisons between enterprises.  The gross margin looks only at the variable costs associated with an enterprise.  For livestock you can compare on a per hectare or per DSE to see which enterprise gives the best return.

Use a Gross Margin to determine a realistic budget

I recommend using a simple template.  One of the best is available from the NSW DPI and is an excel based template that covers livestock (and cropping) enterprises.  The value in such a template is it allows you to check on a series of different assumptions, including various price increases to purchase and to sell stock.

It also includes costs such as health costs; fodder costs transport and sale costs.  The calculation will help you work out a break even price!

4.     Be realistic about growth of trading stock

Making money in trading stock depends on growth of animals in the period of time they are in your ownership.  Its important to do the sums based on realistic levels of growth.  This will depend on what pasture you have; how long your growing season is and ow much weight you need to put on.  

How much weight do you want to gain in the time period you have nominated?

For example if your budget is calculated at putting on 150kg from purchase to sale, then what daily growth rate does that require?  Not every pasture, particularly those entering a winter feed gap will sustain high growth rates.  Does that mean additional costs in fodder?  If it does what do those things do to your gross margin?

5.     Genetics

Restocking is a chance to start with genetics that are better than you previously had.  Good genetics need to be researched.  Think about the type of cattle that suit your environment and your markets.  You don’t necessarily have to go back and do the same thing.

Do the research and look for genetics that suit your environment and your market

 6.     Introducing new animals

When you do purchase new stock, you need to consider the risks (as well as the opportunities)!  New stock can bring issues associated with disease; weeds or the fact they are unfamiliar with your environment and need time to adjust. 

Firstly you need to request an animal health statement so that you can have some reassurance about the new animals health status as well as any treatments they may have had.  This should be kept, along with the appropriate NVD or waybill in your programs LPA records.

Your new animals need some time in quarantine or isolation from your existing stock.  This allows them to exhibit any health issues that may be of concern as well as voiding any weeds or pests they have bought with them.  

I generally recommend that this period is at least three weeks (21 days).  I’d use this time to treat all new arrivals with a broad spectrum drench and a 5 in 1 booster.  Its also a good chance for them to settle and get to know you and tour team.  Spend some time educating them by walking or driving around them.  If you use bikes or horses, these may be things new stock have never seen, so its better to educate them now in a confined paddock than later when they make really spook!

Get your new animals used to your methods

Its also a good chance to educate them to your yards and to your other methods such as feeding from feeders or racks.  

When you d let them int the main program I suggest letting them mingle with a coacher group to show them where the water sources and other paddock features are. 

7.     Update & maintain your records

Don’t forget that as a purchaser of livestock if will be your responsibility to update the NLIS database of the stock you are transferring onto your property. 

There are plenty of producers who forget to do this as they have really only sold stock and purchased bulls from sales where the transfers were done for them. Remember the obligation is on you as the purchaser to make sure the transfer is done.

Your LPA records need to reflect these movements as well. It’s handy to quickly be able to refer to where the new stock have come from and when.

Restocking is an exciting part of getting back into business.  It’s something I’m enjoying advising my friends and clients on.  However when you do, take the time to consider these points.  I think a good plan saves a lot of mistakes and avoids some unexpected costs.  Don’t forget if you want a hand, please get in touch. 

Watch out for these weeds

The potential for stock to consume poisonous plants is always much higher following droughts a break in the season or when moving into a new location.  The capacity of weds to quickly respond to moisture often means they are the only green and growing vegetation in the first period after rain.  And for hungry stock, the desire to nibble or chew these plants can be too great to ignore.  

There are literally hundreds of poisonous plants growing across Australia.  Some are endemic to locations, while others are much more common.  In the last few weeks there have been a few issues emerging with weeds across many areas and its worth taking a moment to look at a few common species.

Pig Weed (Portulacaceae) is one of the more common weeds to emerge after rain, particularly on bare and disturbed areas.  It’s a succulent lush feed that stock will readily eat if they have the opportunity.  However-Pig Weed is often high in nitrates and oxalates, which in high concentrations can prove fatal for stock.   

Pigweed is a common weed in disturb or bare areas

Caltrop (Tribulous) is another weed that is associated with nitrate poisoning.  Again, this plant rapidly responds to rain fall and spreads out across disturbed and bare soil.   The Yellow Vine Caltrop (Tribulus micrococcus) is an Australian species confined very much to NSW and the north west areas in particular.  Besides the risk of nitrate poisoning Caltrop is associated with staggers in sheep. Often this occurs when sheep have grazed paddocks that are dominated by caltrop over many months.  

Caltrop is associated with nitrate and staggers in sheep

According to NSW DPI this can lead to a progressive and irreversible weakness in a sheep’s hind limbs.  This gradually will progress to the forelimbs and eventually the weakness will prevent the animal from standing or accessing feed or water. The disease is only recorded in central NSW, and may take some moths to develop, so it’s one to consider if caltrop is dominating a pasture. 

While this disease has been recorded in NSW among sheep flocks, it doesn’t appear to impact cattle. 

Several other common weed species that pose risks for nitrate poisoning include Fat Hen; Variegated thistle and Blackberry.

Preventing Poisoning:  The biggest risk is often associated with hungry stock accessing these weeds.  This rapid consumption of the plant means the rumen microbes cannot quickly convert the high levels of nitrate to ammonia.  Animals that are in week or low body condition are also less effective in converting nitrates and are more susceptible to poisoning.

The simplest message for producers is to avoid allowing hungry stock to access these weeds.  This may mean fencing off areas that are dominated by these plants until other species have recovered.  It also means continuing to maintain drought rations a little longer while pastures re grow.  There is an added bonus with these rations.  NSW DPI research highlights animals receiving carbohydrate-rich feeds can tolerate high nitrate and nitrite levels better than stock who are not fed. This is because energy from carbohydrates (grain) helps rumen microbes convert nitrite to ammonia. 

Kikuyu Poisoning:  While an uncommon issue, the last few years have seen a number of coastal and northern NSW producers lose cattle to Kikuyu poisoning.  The reasons are not fully understood; however, some research suggests a fungus is associated with the plant and this may be a contributing factor.  

Kikuyu poisoning damages the stomachs of cattle, resulting in a situation where fluid accumulates in the rumen, but can't be absorbed into the blood stream.  When this occurs cattle physically can’t drink as their rumen is at capacity.  Cattle may try to drink however they are physically unable to take in any water.  This leads to dehydration and eventual death.  

The challenge with this disease is it’s almost impossible to determine if kikuyu is a risk as affected kikuyu does not look any different to safe kikuyu.  However, experience on the north coast of NSW suggests affected kikuyu is likely to be less palatable to cattle and they will avoid it if alternative feed is available.  

Kikuyu poisoning on the NSW mid north coast (Image: The Land)

Most of the recorded deaths in recent years have occurred in paddocks when the cattle have no alternative feed available and the losses seem to end when cattle are removed from the affected pasture, or at least when they are offered alternative feed (silage or hay).

The risk seems greatest in periods of rapid growth following the season break.  Again, having alternative feeds and not introducing hungry stock are major steps producers can take to prevent losses.

Lantana: Lantana poisoning is a major concern across many parts of Australia. Most poisoning comes when stock are introduced to areas where the plant is growing and start to eat it out of curiosity.  Yong stock are the most susceptible.  Cattle bred in areas where lantana is common have learnt to avoid the plants unless starving.

The risk from Lantana comes from triterpene acids, lantadene A (rehmannic acid), lantadene B. Research into lantana has shown a toxic dose for a 500 kg cow varies from about 5 to 20 kg of fresh leaf (one per cent or more of an animal's body weight), depending on the toxin content of the lantana eaten. 

Young cattle and stock new to an area are most at risk from lantana poisoning

Lantana poisoning can result in photosensitisation (which is extreme sensitivity to sunlight); liver damage and jaundice.  In extreme cases one feed of lantana can result in signs appearing within 24 hours and death may occur in 2 – 4 days.  Although if untreated death may take a week to a fortnight.

Treatment needs to occur quickly if animals are to recover.  Without raid veterinary treatment severely affected cattle almost invariably die within 10 days of eating the plant. However, cattle that are responded to quickly have a good chance of recovery. 

The key message is to avoid grazing new stock or young stock in areas where lantana grows.  No matter how aware cattle may be of lantana, hungry stock will always be at risk, so try and avoid grazing hungry stock in those paddocks.

“If you see something unusual, don’t hesitate, call your vet and get help!”

Ultimately most weed poisonings are likely when stock are hungry and tempted to have a feed.  As we come out of drought for the first few weeks the only green pants will be weeds. In those instances, try and restrict access and keep your rations in front of your stock.  Most importantly if you see animals showing any unusual signs or symptoms, don’t wait, call your vet and get help!

Do you know the residue status of your cattle?

One of the greatest marketing strengths of Australian beef is the reputation it possesses as “Clean, Green & Safe”.  With over 130 market destinations internationally, consumers choose Australian beef for those three words.  

Our ability to trade and ultimately to have a viable industry is underpinned by those words.  

Clean, green & safe. The reputation of Australian beef overseas

This is a restaurant in Shanghai promoting Australian beef - Natural & Safe

As producers there is a huge requirement to ensure practices on farm are consistent with these themes.  Over the past few years there has been a concerted effort not only to help shape the practices on farm that producers should embrace, there has also been a framework developed to allow producers to prove this if challenged.

The Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program is the most obvious on farm proof for producers.  The records kept on farm, including on farm Biosecurity plans are documented evidence that can be audited and used to demonstrate the commitment producers have to best beef production systems.

As most producers know, participation in LPA allows access to the current version of the National Vendor Declaration (NVD).  It’s practically impossible to sell livestock to feedlots or abattoirs without a correctly completed NVD.  

Correctly completed NVDs are essential in underpinning our production statements

An NVD provides potential customers with a range of information that underpins their decisions on purchasing livestock. Many of these decisions are linked to food safety requirements that form part of marketing arrangements or restrict access to markets.  So, getting this information right the first time helps reduce the risk of damaging the markets confidence in “Clean, Green & Safe”

As producers signing an NVD there are several questions that require answers regarding feed programs, health treatments and residue status.  Feed and health treatments can be cross checked with on farm LPA records.  But what about residue status?

“In the past 6 months have any of these animals been on a property listed on the ERP database or placed under any restrictions because of chemical residues?”

From the 13th of January 2020, its now possible to check the Warning status of any PIC on the National Livestock Identification Database.  In the past producers who may have received warnings as the result of residue or other programs assigned by State of Commonwealth government bodies were harder to locate.  This meant that the responsibility for correctly answering Question 5 on the NVD “In the past 6 months have any of these animals been on a property listed on the ERP database or placed under any restrictions because of chemical residues?” fell to the individual vendor.

While vendors have an obligation to correctly and honestly answer this question, there are concerns that cattle may have been agisted on properties where the ERP status was not known.  This made answering the question difficult.  Not to mention the occasions when the question was incorrectly answered.  This posed a risk for processors and for the integrity of our industry.

In order to make the system more robust, processors and feedlot operators were able to use the NLIS data base to check the status of a PIC consigning cattle to them.  This did help reduce the risk of animals entering the food chain before they were eligible.  However, for producers seeking to purchase cattle or who were sending cattle to agistment, this hasn’t been an option.

Producers, agents, feedlotters & processors can all check for status assigned to a PIC

However, the change to the Early Warning System announced by Integrity Systems, the operators of the NLIS database, now allows anyone who has access to the NLIS database to search for and see if a PIC has a status assigned to it.

It’s worth noting that it won’t be possible to see which individual animal may have a status assigned to it.  However, in the overall operation of the NVD question it refers to any animals that are listed on the form.  

These changes were made following a lot of industry feedback and should be seen as a way to increase transparency and certainty around cattle.  For producers it’s a chance to look for and manage risks with purchasing or agisting stock. It also means greater certainty in their responses to the NVD questions.  

While the ability to search and check the stats assigned to a PIC is important in determining the level of risk associated with purchasing cattle, I think its also a great way to keep abreast of your own PIC status. It doesn’t hurt to check regularly and make sure that all is in order with your own records.

 For more specific details or answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please follow this link to Integrity Systems Information pages.  

Managing the Green Pick

Its exciting to see the monsoon starting to bring much needed rain to northern Australia.  While its only early days, the reports from people fortunate to have been under falls have been great to hear.  

In southern Australia, particularly in northern NSW and Southern Qld, the changing weather patterns have seen storms finally starting to deliver reasonable falls in many areas.  Sadly like all storm rain, not everyone is fortunate enough to receive the rain they need.  While its also a long way from drought breaking, some places have had enough rain to see creeks rise and dams fill.  So it’s a good start, and hopefully one that sees the drought start to break.

Managing cattle on green pick may require maintaining supplements for a bit longer

One of the challenges that comes with these early showers and storms is the need to manage your livestock as pastures recover.  The early stages of regrowth, where there is plenty of green pick, can be a time where may programs come unstuck.

The short green feed that comes away post storm and shower will often be very high in moisture, as well as being fairly short and low in overall herbage mass.   The practical implication of this, is stock will use more energy in foraging and grazing than they are able to obtain from the green growth.

“Green Pick is high in moisture, and stock will use more energy chasing this feed than they can actually consume ”

Pastures that are less than 1400kg / DM / Ha will not really sustain cattle.  While sheep may be able to consume more feed as they can graze lower to the ground, their overall intake will also be significantly less than the energy they use to graze.

Its also important to recognise that the new growth needs some time to become fully established.  Grazing early will prevent good root development and can actually set pastures back as plants try to establish themselves.  

Pastures should be at least 5 - 6 cms high before allowing cattle to start grazing

In terms of livestock management, its important to stay with your prepared feeding program for a little longer. Your current rations should provide the daily energy and protein requirements for the stock you have on hand.  

I also recommend where possible you try to avoid allowing your stock to have access to larger paddocks for a little longer.  Larger paddocks encourage your animals to graze and “chase the green pick”.  This often sees them reject their rations and create a situation where energy loss occurs as they avoid their feed troughs to chase the green shoots.  If you can prevent this happening until pasture gains some greater mass, it will be better for both your stock and the new plants.

Livestock health is also an area to be conscious of as new pastures start to come away. There are also some potential animal health issues to be mindful of. The clostridial diseases are a major issue, particularly pulpy kidney.  If you have been feeding for a while your 5 in 1 vaccinations should be up to date.  However if not, you need to start this before you allow too much access to new growth.  Ideally you would try to give the first vaccination now and the second one in 4 – 6 weeks time.  Stock that have been vaccinated will require a booster.

Make sure health programs, particularly 5 in 1 are up to date

Fresh pastures can be deficient in minerals such as calcium and this can lead to metabolic diseases.  Typically this results in seeing animals collapsed as a result of Low blood calcium, or magnesium.  These issues need to be treated swiftly to minimise losses. It is possible to provide supplements to assist in addressing deficiencies, however you need to ensure the right disease issue has been diagnosed by your vet.

Finally one of the real issues with new growth are often weeds.  There are many weeds that can cause poisoning, and after a long period of feeding, there is a potential of new weeds you have not seen before.  It is important to check areas before allowing stock to access them for grazing and make sure the risk of weed poisoning is low.

The real challenge is to have patience for a little longer and give your pastures time to grow and build up enough reserves to support grazing.  Stay with your rations just a little longer.  When you do introduce your stock to paddocks, try to avoid letting them onto pastures with empty stomachs.  Keep a close eye on them for a week or so and ensure there are no issues with metabolic upsets or weeds you haven’t noticed.  

Tips for confinement feeding cattle in drought

Confinement feeding cattle has become a more frequently used strategy by producers as the drought continues to impact eastern Australia.  Confinement feeding offers a number of advantages for producers who have made the decision to continue to feed livestock.  

However to be successful some preparation ahead of starting the process is essential.  And once the process has started it needs to be managed and adjusted to meet the changing needs of the cattle being fed.

One of the first questions I’m often asked is “why would you do confinement feeding?”  It’s a good question, and there are several strong reasons for starting the process. 

“Why would you consider confinement feeding?”

From a livestock perspective, the process allows you to bring animals to a central location and fed them to their needs.  This can save a lot of time and ensure rations are more suited to the stock on hand.  

Another key efficiency is the reduction on energy demands for livestock.  Some interesting research from NSW DPI suggests that cattle in confinement feeding programs have around 8% lower energy demands as they don’t have to expend energy search for feed and water.

Courtesy of Ben Nevis Angus - Walcha

 It offers some people the opportunity to feed rations that will allow cattle to gain weight or even grow to lay down fat and so meet a market specification.  With the current price for cattle, particularly those with average fatness, this is a very attractive option for many.

For other producers, confinement feeding is a strategy to adopt as water resources become more limited.  Rather than a series of temporary tanks and troughs across paddocks, it can be more efficient to provide water to a central point.

And from a pastures and soil management perspective, sacrificing a smaller area to preserve ground cover over the larger part of the farm and so allow quicker pasture response when the drought does break is a well proven drought management strategy.

So in order to successfully undertake confinement feeding of cattle, what are some of the key things to consider?

The first thing is to recognize that a confinement-feeding program is a temporary process for use in drought management, or from recovery from fires and floods.  This makes it very different to a feedlot.  There is a clear guideline on confinement feeding in NSW from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.  

The Department states, “Stock containment areas are used for temporary stock management arrangements and are not intended to be used as routine farming operations. They are distinct from feedlots, restriction facilities and other permanent works or structures.” 

If you are thinking you want to construct a more permanent feeding facility, this does require consent and planning approval, so before you start you should contact your council and LLS for advice.

The location where you will undertake the feeding program needs some thought.  It should be a site that is relatively easily accessible to provide feed, and to move cattle out.   As a general guide I would suggest”

·      The site should have some slope.  Around 3 – 4% slope is considered ideal

·      If possible use the top of a slope

·      Avoid drainage lines or areas that are likely to become boggy hollows.  As soil will compact any run off rain will quickly become mud and its best not to have that in the main area of the yards

While you cant always choose your soil type, its best if you can look fro the clay loam soils.  Heavy clays will become an issue in wet weather.

The other key issue around location is distance from your house and neighbours!  There will be odour, dust, flies and noise, so you should consider trying to be at least 500m from anyone’s home.

Deciding on the size of the yards or paddock may not always be straightforward.  It will depend on location and on the number of stock on hand.  Its important to remember that high density will create problems on rainy days with bogging, while excessive numbers can cause dust that impacts stock and people.  

The NSW DPI recommends that cattle should be kept at the following densities:

·      Weaners:         9 to 10m2 per head

·      Yearlings:        12 to 14m2 per head

·      Dry cows:         15 – 25m2 per head

It’s important that no more than 250 head are kept in any one mob.  And for early weaned calves it should be no more than 100 head.

“I always recommend drafting cattle into groups based on fat score, weight and frame size”

I always recommend drafting cattle into groups based on size and weight.  Ideally I would have cattle drafted on fat score and weight and have a spare pen or yard on hand to draft sick animals or shy feeders off and manage those separately.

Well designed yards allow rations to be easily fed

Confinement yards can be constructed out of normal fencing wire.  Most people convert small paddocks and so the standard 5 strand wire is adequate.  Some people do add an electric wire to ease pressure on fencing, particularly if they use fences as part of their feeding system.

Feeding in troughs is a preferred method to reduce waste and avoid intake of soil and disease.  However I know quite a few people who have chosen o feed between two fences onto the ground.  Over time the ground does pack down and wastage is much lower as a result.  So it may be an option to discuss as you make your plans.

What is important is to ensure sufficient space to allow animal’s access to the rations.  If a daily ration is offered into troughs the following spaces are recommended to ensure easy access:

·      Weaner cattle             30cm / head

·      Yearling Cattle            40cm / head

·      Adult Cattle                 60cm / head 

Horned cattle may require additional space so this needs to be considered in your planning.  

Troughs can be as simple as conveyor belt, and I have seen many made this way.  I’ve also seen troughs made from folded tin and from hollowed tree trunks.  As long as they are accessible to stock and can be cleaned to avoid mouldy rations I think they are ok.

Troughs can be made of conveyor belt at a low cost

However troughs should be 45–60cm wide and deep enough to hold the ration with the top of the trough maximum 60cm from the ground. A trough that is 10–15cm higher at the back (outside) reduces wastage. For young stock, troughs that are too deep can cause baulking due to poor vision, while those too high can affect feed access and intake.

Finally don’t forget water.  Cattle will drink up to 100 litres in summer and in hot weather this can increase by up to 80%.  Cattle prefer to drink water between 16 – 180C and as water gets hotter they will drink less and this impacts their feed intake and general wellbeing.  

Ideally troughs should be deep enough to keep water cool and if water is piped from a tank it should be underground to avoid excessive heat.  

When a trough is sited, try and place it as far from feeders as possible.  At a minimum this should be 10m.  This helps reduce contamination from feed that may still be in an animal’s mouth.  Another suggestion is toplace troughs along fence lines can so stock on both sides of the fence can use it.

Troughs should allow 10% of a mob access

Water troughs need to be long enough to allow at least 10% of cattle in the mob to drink at any one time allowing a minimum of 300mm space for every 10 head. For example a 3m trough can water 100 head.  It’s worth working out trough size before you settle on final numbers in a pen if you only have a limited amount of water access.

There are plenty of tips and experiences people have had in using confinement feeding as a strategy.  If it is something you are planning to undertake, it’s worth getting in touch and seeking some advice.  Some of the tips and ideas people have can be big time savers!  

Early Weaning - Not Just Set and Forget!

Early weaning is definitely one of the more frequent topics for discussion among producers. As the drought continues to impact on businesses, many producers are looking at other management strategies within their drought program.

Early weaning is certainly a very important strategy, and can be used to successfully care for cows and ensure calf growth can be maintained. However, as a strategy it does require some planning and has to be done with a daily focus on ensuring calves are responding to the program. There are no shortcuts if you do choose this strategy!

Managing cow condition is a key reason for early weaning

As a strategy to manage cow condition, early weaning can be a vital tool in a drought plan. The minimum amount of feed a lactating cow requires each day is 2.5% of her body weight and that this feed should be a minimum of 10.5 ME / Kg and 13% CP.

This compares to a dry cow requiring only 1.8% of bodyweight a day and at an energy level of 8 ME / Kg and 8% CP. By early weaning you have a chance to adjust rations and focus on using high quality rations on those cows that are very light in condition and need special care.

If your cows are light and certainly anything that is AT RISK (Fat Score 1) then you should be planning to early wean the calves and look after the cows as a seperate group .

One of my first tips for early weaning is to plan ahead and ensure you have adequate facilities. This means having well secured yards that has access to clean water. Water intake is essential to ensure calves meet their daly intake requirements. Having an old bath tub that gets filled up once a day is NOT acceptable!

Your calves need to be drafted into groups that are of simile size. Generally this means they will be the same age. However size rather than age is the predominant consideration on drafting. I tend to recommend three groups. A small, medium and larger group. You also should have a spare pen. I call this the hospital group. Anything sick or not doing well should be put into this pen where you can give the calves some more specialised attention.

Draft your calves into similar size groups

Your rations need to be introduced slowly. It’s important to provide roughage that is of good quality. Poor quality roughage is often a limitation to intake. And you often find calves would sooner play with it rather than eat it! So its worth avoiding stubble hays.

Most people now use prepared pellets. Pellets are a convenient option and allow producers to feel confident in managing protein and energy levels. Protein levels (CP%) need to be between 16 - 18%. You should introduce pellets slowly. Build up to the amount that you are aiming for (based on the weight of the calves).

Feeding daily is more preferable to using self feeders. Firstly this allows you to monitor your calves and draft off any sick ones. Secondly it does prevent over eating and bloat occurring as some animals will hang around a self feeder and gorge themselves. Of greater concern can be shy feeders who hang back until the self feeder is free and then over eat. This often results in bloat.

“Feeding early weaned calves is a nursery job so you can not just feed them ad lib and get on with the other work”

Feeding calves in an early weaning program requires attention and a daily program. While I’ve seen good success with self feeders in pens, I’ve also seen some real problems!

Making sure each calf gets its daily ration is essential. Feeding in a trough, as long as the space is adequate (around 20 - 30cm head) gives your calves the opportunity to consume their requirements. It allows you to manage for issues like sickness or to remove dominant animals or those larger ones and place them into other pens.

If you do use self feeders then you need to make sure there will be enough space for the animals in each pen. So maybe you need more than one feeder per group.

If you do use self feeders, ensure you have enough room for all the animals in the pen

Early weaning can be a bit stressful on calves, and this can impact their immune system and general health. I definitely would be ensuring all calves were vaccinated with a minimum of 5 in 1 against the clostridial diseases.

This year several of the vets I work with have suggested calves coming from drought conditions would also benefit from a treatment of Vitamins A, D & E. So this could be something you also need to factor into your plans.

Ultimately early weaning can be a key part of your drought program if it is planned and managed as a key job. A daily feed, regular inspections and a planned ration are all vital for success. If you do want to plan a program and want some input, don’t forget you can get in touch with me and I’ll be happy to help you put a plan in place.