When it comes time to wean calves like this, ranchers might consider the low-stress alternative of fenceline weaning.
ers,” Price says. “This helps pre-condition them and gets them used to a pick-up driving or a man walking through them.” The calves are held 60 days before being sold to a
feedyard. “I wouldn’t want anyone to think I know it all or
think this system is the best for everyone, but it’s worked for us and we see so many benefi ts from it,” says Price, who has been ranching for 45 years. “It’s hard for anyone to change their mode of operation and step out of their comfort zone, but it was completely worth the effort to change to this strategy.” Also located in West Texas, the Price’s ranch sits
between San Angelo and Midland. Price says average rainfall may be around 17 inches, but he has experi- enced both extremes of only 5 inches to upwards of 35 inches. “You have to adapt,” he says. “The same year we
formed our partnership is the same year we had a huge wildfi re and subsequent drought. You play the hand you’re dealt.”
Implementing fenceline weaning For ranchers looking to reduce stress for both them-
selves and their cattle, Wade and Price offer some sug- gestions for getting started with fenceline weaning. “I think any cow-calf operation could make this type of weaning system work,” Wade says. “It might
tscra.org
look different at each place.” Wade suggests the fi rst thing to look at would be
facilities. “Ask yourself what kinds of pens you have or need,”
he says. “Map it out. Figure out where cows and calves will be going. You’ll also need some type of grazing plan or chart.” The biggest benefi t Wade sees in low-stress handling
is fewer man-hours needed. “It makes economic sense,” he explains. “It also
makes life and work more enjoyable. Calm animals mean we’re not fi xing a lot of fence either. It pays big dividends in less time and money.” Price agrees that planning is the key to getting
started. He says having good fences and water sources for both cows and calves — close to each other — are 2 key components to consider. “It’s important to have the water sources in a com-
mon area, so calves aren’t following mothers to water all the time,” he explains. “We use net wire fence be- cause we also graze sheep on our place, but I can see other types of fencing working as well. Price says he doesn’t claim to know it all or have
the perfect system. “This system works well and there are different
ways ranchers can start using it in their programs,” he says. “I think the hardest thing is to be willing to change.”
October 2016 The Cattleman 131
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