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Abstract
A two-year study of early vs.
normal weaning of steer calves
was conducted in the western
Dakotas in 2003-04. The
analysis concludes that early
weaning improves feedlot
production efficiency and
reduces per-day and per-pound
feedlot production costs.
However, early weaned steers
are lighter at slaughter;
therefore, early weaning lowers
carcass revenue relative to
normal weaning. The early
weaning effect on the
profitability of retaining calves
through the feedlot stage was
not statistically significant.
However, the analysis indicates
that early weaning does have a
positive effect on cow health,
pasture utilization rates, and
that it therefore has the potential
to be an effective drought
management tool for grazing
cattle during periods of
inadequate precipitation