“However, the extra value from early-weaned calves in our study was not sufficient to overcome the initial cost for the early-weaning diets,” Waterman says. “Therefore, the additional expenses need to be recovered from other facets of production.”

Waterman and Geary say the “other facets” which can add value to an early-weaning program and enhance productivity include earlier date of conception, higher pregnancy rates and better cow body condition.

In their work, they found that date of conception was seven days earlier for cows from the early-weaned groups compared to normal-weaned cows. And pregnancy rates from AI were higher for early-weaned cows (63%) compared to normal-weaned cows (54%).

Pregnancy rates from the entire 50-day breeding season were slightly greater for cows that were early-weaned (95%) compared to normal weaned (91%).

“It's possible that the synchronization protocol used in cows in the present study masked some of the beneficial effects because these protocols have been reported to induce estrous cycles,” Geary explains.

Early-weaned cows gained more weight during the grazing period — coming out of grazing 122 lbs. heavier than normal-weaned cows at the time of normal weaning. The difference in weight gain between early- and normal-weaned cows was greatest among two-year-olds and decreased with increased age.

Early-weaned cows consumed one-third animal unit month (AUM) less forage than normal-weaned cows during the grazing period. A 75-lb. weight difference in cattle of similar genetics is equivalent to one full body condition score.

Dean Peterson, rancher from Judith Gap, MT, participated in the Fort Keogh study, and says early-weaning can be a valuable management tool. He weaned a set of calves at about 80 days of age, weighing about 270 lbs. and placed them in his ranch feedlot.

“Early weaning definitely increases the management obligations,” Peterson says. “They take more time.”

Would he wean early again if conditions warranted?

“Yeah, I'd do it again,” Peterson answers. “Now I know a little more about and how to handle early-weaned calves. Plus, I think the ration can be designed to be lower cost than what we worked with on this study.”

He adds that his early-weaned calves performed very well in the feedyard.

“And, health management wasn't any different with the early-weaned calves than with the normally weaned group.”

Clint Peck is a BEEF Contributing Editor based in Billings, MT.

Early weaning can mitigate the consequences of extended drought that often leads to extensive liquidation of cowherds.

This can have major effects on cash flow, tax liability, efficient use of labor and resource management, as well as potential loss of genetic improvements. Lactation places additional nutritional demands on beef cows, which becomes especially evident during drought conditions and when forage availability is limiting.

Table 1. Estimated financial return of early weaning (EW) compared to normal weaning (NW) for cows grazing summer pasture in the Northern Great Plains.

Item	Early weaning	Normal weaning	Value
Grazing cost1	$4,177	$7,049	$2,872
Older calves at subsequent weaning2	$70,846	$68,861	$1,985
Replacement heifer cost3	$0	$6,000	$6,000
Winter feed required to calve in same BCS	$0	$1,171	$1,171
Total			$12,028
1Grazing cost calculated at average lease value per AUM. 2Estimated additional weaning weight in subsequent year due to 7 days earlier conception date. Calf-gain estimated at 2.7 lbs./day of age and price estimated at $1.05/lbs. 3Purchase of five additional pregnant replacement heifers valued at $1,200/hd.