Weaning Time!

Our youngest heifer, Applecross Evita showcasing her Quiet Wean nose flap, along side her dam, Dora Lee Evangaline

Weaning Time!

Labour Day week-end has always meant weaning time here at Applecross.    I am not sure whether it is the sudden change in weather (it seemingly goes from warm evenings to a hint of frost overnight), to Jeanne’s annual return to the front of the classroom, but it is always the last ‘must do’ on the summer’s job list, and is always scheduled for Labour Day Monday.

For the last 4 years, we have used ‘Quiet Wean’ nose flaps in a two step weaning process that begins 9 days earlier – often the morning of the Anchor D Female Sale.  Dan & Karen always showcase a set of excellent cattle combined with amazing hospitality, so I always take the day off work to attend this great gathering.  The Friday morning sales date provides the perfect opportunity to work through the groups and get quiet weans in every nose, prior to enjoying some fun and fellowship later that afternoon.  Nine days later, on Labour Day Monday, we removed the Quiet Weans, and formally separate the calves from their dams.

The Quiet Weans themselves are a small, bendable plastic insert that fits into the calves’ nose.  The flap allows them to still eat grass and drink water, but prevents them from ‘drinking upwards’ to the teat.  This ensures that the calves have nine days to wean themselves off their ‘milk addiction’, and then only have to deal with separation anxiety from their mothers come weaning day.

I first saw the quiet weans at work when touring the D Bar C / Cutler & Sissons herd in 2009.  I figured that if it worked for them in their 400 cow operation, we could easily manage the extra step with our much smaller herd.  Now, four years later, we are pleased with how both the cows and calves transfer through the stress of weaning.    Yes, there is still some noise for a day or two, but the calves adapt a lot more quickly and seem to be back turning grass into meat in no time.    We hope to profile some of these calves over the next few months.