With that goal in mind, try to make the process and feeding mechanisms as similar to postweaning methods as possible to allow cattle to form a defined routine.

Water is another area that often changes, especially if cattle transition from watering in ponds or creeks to watering from a well or rural water supply. If exposure to the new water source is possible while still with the dam, this may make the transition easier.

In addition to minimizing postweaning novelty, the preweaning phase is an excellent time to build immunity using a vaccination program. Vaccinations during this time can help animals mount an immune response prior to exposure to pathogens, and better levels of immunity can help keep calves healthy.

Work with your veterinarian to discuss options for preweaning vaccines during this period, and be sure to follow label directions on vaccines. Some feeder-calf marketing programs have vaccination requirements, so vaccinating at this stage may help you qualify for a specific program.

The trouble window

Weaning doesn’t cause illness. However, stress, commingling cattle from multiple sources, ration changes and new environments can all contribute to a higher risk for disease.

Cattle are at the highest risk for disease soon after weaning (within one to three weeks), and the most common diseases affecting cattle at this stage are respiratory disease and gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Observe the cattle closely during this period to monitor for potential signs of disease, and have a plan for intervention when illness is identified.

Respiratory and GI diseases often have similar clinical signs, including depression, reduced feed intake, hanging back from the group and rapid respiration. If these signs are observed, further examination of the individual animal is warranted and assessing a rectal temperature is often a good idea.

The most common GI problem at this stage would be acidosis if cattle were moved rapidly to a high-starch diet. These cattle often have loose stools and do not have an elevated rectal temperature. By contrast, cattle with respiratory disease often have an elevated rectal temperature. Work with your veterinarian to identify the appropriate treatment protocol for cattle identified as ill.

Managing the environment

The environment for managing newly weaned cattle is an important part of the adjustment. Weaning is often performed when environmental temperatures are warm and providing adequate water is critical. Managing functional access to water, as well as water quantity, is important during this phase. The water should be easily accessible by calves of all sizes. This includes managing the water height and maintaining a good, clean water delivery mechanism.

Cattle may not be used to provided feed, and forming a routine as soon as possible is helpful when adjusting the cattle to a new ration. Maintaining the housing area to limit mud and allow adequate dry areas for cattle to rest is also important. In some circumstances, bedding in a portion of the pen may allow cattle a dry place to rest.

Conclusions

Weaning is a necessary component of the beef production system, and can be a stressful time for calves. Managing the preweaning period to build immunity and minimize postweaning novelty encourages a smooth transition to the next production stage. Monitor cattle closely during the early postweaning period for signs of disease to allow early health interventions. Provide a good environment for postweaned calves to promote health and performance.

Editor’s note: Author Brad White is on faculty at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and serves as director of the Beef Cattle Institute. To learn more on this and other beef herd health topics, tune in to the weekly Beef Cattle Institute Cattle Chat and Bovine Science with BCI podcasts available on iTunes, GooglePlay or directly from https://ksubci.org/.