“For cattle producers who retain their calves after weaning, calf performance is crucial for a successful operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
With tight margins, optimum performance while minimizing costly problems is essential. Strong postweaning performance also boosts reputation and can increase future demand and value for calves sold at weaning. Davis discusses preweaning management strategies to help achieve optimal postweaning performance.
“Handling stressful tasks before weaning helps calves achieve better performance after weaning,” says Davis. Dehorning and castration are among the most stressful experiences for calves. Davis recommends dehorning at breeding by choosing a polled service sire, which naturally lacks horns. Still, if calves do develop horns, they should be removed as early as possible. Similarly, castrating bull calves is stressful, so it’s best done when they are young to lessen its impact on their performance. Both practices have traditionally increased calf value at sale time and should be completed by three months of age to ensure minimal effects on performance.
Source : missouri.edu