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Most dairy calves weaned at 60 to 75 days, but that may be changingThe most popular age to wean dairy calves is between approximately eight and ten weeks of age, according to a new study by the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association. However, current economic conditions may be impacting that statistic. The nationwide survey, conducted in the summer of 2008, involved interviews with 100 contract replacement raisers and 100 dairy producers. The producers were selected from a qualified list of a major dairy trade publication. A total of 158 respondents raised wet calves, and indicated the following weaning ages: --Less than 30 days--7.3 percent --31 to 45 days--26.1 percent --48 to 59 days--22.4 percent --60 to 75 days--30.9 percent --More than 75 days--10.3 percent In comparison, the most recent USDA National Animal Health Monitoring Service study, conducted two years earlier in 2006, indicated the majority of producers (33.2 percent) weaned at a slightly younger age of eight weeks (56 days); and only 4.5 percent weaned at nine weeks (63 days). In that study, 10.3 percent weaned at seven weeks (49 days), and 20.5 percent weaned at six weeks (36 days). Hugh Chester-Jones, PhD, professor of animal science at the University of Minnesota, Waseca, Minn., doesn't think the difference between studies indicates a major trend toward later weaning. "My interaction with a number of dairy producers and calf raisers in the Midwest suggest that many are weaning between 35 and 49 days, and some less than 35 days," he says. "Much of the incentive for earlier weaning is to reduce feed and labor costs, but we still must be cognizant of the need for a well-grown and healthy calf by weaning." New York calf raiser Jeanne Wormuth agrees and notes that, in the current period of unprecedented economic constraints in the dairy industry, many managers are looking at younger weaning age as a means of reducing feed costs. Wormuth is the manager of CY Heifer Farm near Elba, N.Y., where she oversees the rearing of more than 2,600 wet calves annually. The nutrition program she follows calls for weaning at 33 days of age, a practice that the farm has successfully employed for more than 10 years. "Raising wet calves requires significant resources, and is one area where growers look to maximize efficiency," she says. "Younger weaning age is a management practice that has grown in popularity in this region, and will continue to be adopted as growers look to balance cost and calf performance." Recently, the farm converted its facilities to accommodate group housing and feeding of baby calves, a change with which Wormuth is extremely pleased. In addition to saving labor, she believes using automatic feeders in groups has lessoned the stress of weaning, and helps calves make a seamless transition into post-weaning group housing. Chester-Jones notes that establishing a weaning protocol is a process that is unique to every operation. He advises that one important milestone is for calves to be eating at least 1.5 pounds of starter grain per day for at least three days before weaning. "The decision on weaning age seems to be based on farm tradition, operation size, the type of liquid feeding program, and the health and growth of calves," says Chester-Jones. "Goal setting, performance monitoring, and consulting with outside advisors--including veterinarians and nutritionists--all are important elements of successfully raising wet calves through weaning and beyond." The DCHA study was sponsored jointly by Pfizer Animal Health and Land O'Lakes Animal Milk Products, Inc.
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