There is less stress, disease and death loss when you fence- line wean.
Disadvantages “A disadvantage of fence-
line weaning is that good sturdy fences are required,” says Gill. “Fences must be strong enough to keep cows and calves separated and to prevent the calves from nursing. However, the fence should allow nose-to-nose contact between a calf and its dam. Every operation deserves a good fence and this can be the one to use for fence-line weaning.” Producers have success-
fully used various combina- tions of electric, non-electric and high-tensile barbed and woven wire for fence-line weaning. Woven wire or at least 5 strands of electric fencing will likely be neces- sary when cattle have not
been previously exposed to electric fencing. If the cattle are familiar with electric fencing, 3 strands will likely be suffi cient. Yet another option is to use 4 to 5 strands of barbed
wire combined with a single strand of electric fence offset from the main fence. “A disadvantage of fence-line weaning is that you
have to have the right facilities,” confi rms Ben Spitzer, general manager of Salacoa Valley Farms near Fair- mount, Ga. “You need good fences and pens located in the right position. Fence-line weaning requires pastures or lots where calves can be placed across the fence from their dams. A landowner may not have enough pasture or the right facilities for fence-line weaning.”
Dry-lot weaning “Dry-lot weaning is an acceptable protocol, but re-
quires more labor than fence-line weaning,” Machen says. “It is important to spend time with calves weaned in a corral to stop the walking and bawling. The pro- ducer needs to replace the cow herd and assume the role of caregiver. Freshly weaned calves need attention and good interaction with people to reduce sickness and injury.”
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82 The Cattleman August 2014
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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