Keeping Weaning Low Stress

Jul 22, 2025

By Travis Meteer

Weaning is one of the most stressful times in a calf’s life. The stress that occurs at weaning can negatively affect early performance post-weaning, whether that be on the pasture or in the feed yard. We want our cattle to have a positive start as they enter the feeder phase, and that all starts with weaning. Regardless if you’re early weaning or normal weaning, reducing stressors pre and post weaning allows calves better chances to thrive as they move into adulthood.

Two Step Weaning

Two step weaning involves the use of nose flaps. Calves are separated from their mothers and ring-like flaps are placed tightly on their nasal septum. Some flaps have prongs protruding that prevent the calf from nursing, others are flat. After securing their new hardware, the calves are then turned back out with their dams for 4-7 days. After those few days the nose flaps are removed, and the calves are either shipped out or taken to another pasture or feedlot.

Fence Line Weaning

Another method of weaning is fence line weaning. This requires calves to be separated from their dams and placed in a lot or pasture on a separate side of the fence. Before separating the calves, make sure your fence is strong and in good condition.

Source : illinois.edu

Video: ASF Control Lessons - Dr. Mary-Louise Penrith

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Mary-Louise Penrith, Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria, shares what decades of work have revealed about ASF control. She explains why vaccine development remains difficult, how human activity and food waste drive disease spread, why resistant pig populations are an important research area, and how strict biosecurity with the right disinfectants can help to stop transmission. Listen now on all major platforms!

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Meet the guest: Dr. Mary-Louise Penrith / mary-louise-penrith-2b12bb42 is an Extraordinary Professor in the Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. A veterinarian and internationally recognized researcher, she has dedicated decades to African swine fever epidemiology, control, and pig health, supporting FAO and WOAH initiatives while advancing research and education. Listen to Dr. Mary-Louise Penrith on the Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.