To wean or not to wean?

Like many decisions on the ranch, the decision to wean a calf early or not depends upon a host of variables that may change from year to year.

For some, the decision is easy. Wean early and reap the benefits of a more efficient calf, provided it has a high-quality diet.

By early weaning, you can reduce the forage needed by 28 percent when you consider nutrient requirements and feed intake for the cow plus forage the calf would have consumed, Dr. Bob Judd said.

But there are drawbacks. Young calves weigh less and can bring fewer dollars to the ranch.

You also have to find buyers who want to buy and feed lightweight calves as not every cattle feeder is set up for younger calves, Dr. Judd said.

Dr. Judd further explores the pros and cons of weaning beef calves early on Texas Vet News on the TFB Radio Network: http://bit.ly/1MxQj4g.