1. Weaning Stress

2. Calves can be weaned any time after their rumens become functional Bottle fed calves can be weaned after one month of age Nursing cows are weaned between 3 and 8 months. Best to wean at an older age. 205-day weaning weight is sometimes calculated 48-hr calf removal Most calves are born in the spring and weaned in the fall

3. Veterinarians suggest: Vaccinations be given 3-4 weeks prior to weaning Before weaning: Castration, branding, dehorning Post-weaning diets or calf starter diets

5. A two-stage, low-stress method for weaning cattle

6. Calf Weaner Plastic Swinging- Arm Calf Weaner Kant Suk Weaner - Calf Size Calf Sucking Preventer Calf Weaner

10. Health is most vulnerable when arriving in a new environment Evaluate stress level Determine risk level (sale barn vs. off-farm)

11. Providing balanced and adequate nutrition before weaning Reducing stresses related to handling and shipping Purchasing source-verified cattle from herds with a known health history Vaccination calves pre-weaning followed by booster vaccinations at weaning Vaccinating calves at processing Castrating and weaning calves and allowing them time to acclimate to eating from a bunk prior to shipment Treating any calves that appear sick or have a fever as soon as possible

12. Depression, anorexia, and dull eyes = CHECK for Temp! Temperatures over 104 = early signs of BRD Clinical signs later: rapid/labored breathing, droopy ears, coughing, diarrhea, sudden death, staggering, and nasal discharge. Left untreated, Will die from asphyxiation.

13. Early recognition and treatment Can vary… A necropsy is recommended on all dead calves to confirm the diagnosis of BRD and to find out what viruses and bacteria are involved.

16. Advanced planning and careful attention Decreasing the risks Good nutrition Giving them time to acclimate Properly vaccinated Mass medication

18. Landeis, Rick. Personal interview. 31 Oct. 2011. May, Cheryl. Cattle Management. Reston, Virginia: Reston Publishing Company, Inc, 1981. Jensen, Rue and Mackey, Donald R. Diseases of Feedlot Cattle. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1971. Febiger, 1971. QuietWean. QuietWean. 21 Nov. 2011. 5 Dec. 2011 http://quietwean.com/http://quietwean.com/ Haley, Derek. Reducing Weaning Stress in Two Easy Steps. 02 July 2010. 05 Dec. 2011 http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/beef/news/vbn0710a1.htm. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/beef/news/vbn0710a1.htm HOFFELT, JEFFREY. Home News Livestock News.Calves most at risk for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) post-weaning. 6 Oct. 2011. 5 Dec. 2011 http://www.agriview.com/news/livestock/calves-most-at-risk-for-bovine-respiratory- disease-brd-post/article_df6424dc-ef61-11e0-93ef-001cc4c002e0.html. McClanahan, http://www.agriview.com/news/livestock/calves-most-at-risk-for-bovine-respiratory- disease-brd-post/article_df6424dc-ef61-11e0-93ef-001cc4c002e0.html Susan L.. Health & National Animal Identification System.. 5 Dec. 2011 http://www.extension.umn.edu/beef/components/homestudy/stocker_lesson3.pdf. http://www.extension.umn.edu/beef/components/homestudy/stocker_lesson3.pdf Filly, Shelby. Weaning Beef Calves.. 5 Dec. 2011 http://extension.oregonstate.edu/douglas/sites/default/files/documents/lf/weaninglf05 03.pdf. http://extension.oregonstate.edu/douglas/sites/default/files/documents/lf/weaninglf05 03.pdf Mathis, Clay P. and Encinias, Manny. Early Weaning Beef Cattle.. 5 Dec. 2011 http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_b/b-126.pdf. Stookey, Joseph M.. http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_b/b-126.pdf Alternate Weaning Strategies for Cow-Calf Producers.. 5 Dec. 2011 http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/articles/beefwean.html. http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/articles/beefwean.html