The key to reducing animal stress and improving performance during weaning

More calves this year may have suffered from respiratory diseases and scour because they were housed longer than usual in the spring.

Weaning breaks the maternal-offspring bond and removes milk from the calf’s diet. In a natural environment, the cow would initiate weaning gradually, by refusing the calf access to suckle, but at a later time than that which is generally practised by suckler farmers.

Weaning stress has an adverse effect on the immune system, making calves more susceptible to disease.