https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1174/thumbnail.jp

Clark, Emery O.

Harrelson, Flint W.

Harrelson, Patricia L.

Seim, Lisa L.

Vencill, Katlyn R.

English

Morehead State University

Impact Of Two-Stage Weaning On Calf Growth, Behavior, and Vocalizations *Lisa L. Seim, Emery O. Clark, Katlyn R. Vencill, Drs. Patricia L. Harrelson and Flint W. Harrelson, Mentors Department of Agricultural Sciences, College of Science 	  	  ABSTRACT Removal of the dam and main source of nutrition at weaning results in increased stress (vocalizations/ activity) for calves. Two-stage weaning uses an anti-suckling device placed in the calf’s nostrils 4-7 days prior to weaning to help alleviate stress. We hypothesized that with the use of anti-suckling devices, calves would vocalize and walk less, and not depress weight gain. Calves (n = 51) were utilized in a completely randomized design. Calves were stratified by weight and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments; control, 2 days with device prior to weaning or 4 days with device prior to weaning. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with sex and treatment, as fixed effects. No differences (P > 0.55) were observed for any growth parameters based upon treatment. We observed a treatment × day interaction for calf vocalizations (P < 0.0001). For calf behavior, we observed a linear treatment effect for eating (P = 0.0026), treatment × day interaction for suckling (P = 0.0079), and a quadratic treatment effect for walking (P = 0.03). These results suggest that anti-suckling devices can be useful in reducing stress at weaning in cattle.  INTRODUCTION DISCUSSION Weaning in beef cattle is a very stressful event for both calf and dam. Traditionally, calves were abruptly removed from the dams and transported to a separate location, resulting in increased vocalization (Veissier and Le Neindre, 1989). Stress at weaning is normally demonstrated by increased vocalizations and increased walking activity, while also decreasing the time spent eating (Stookey et al., 1997; Price at al., 2003). A recent technology to combat the stress of physical separation at weaning is done through the use of an anti-suckling device (Haley et al., 2005) which allows the calf to maintain physical contact with the dam while preventing suckling. Boland et al. (2008) found that calves with anti-suckling devices walked less and spent more time eating compared to controls (P < 0.05). Studies conducted by Haley et al. (2005)  showed that calves weaned using anti-suckling devices vocalized less, spent more time eating, and less time walking/pacing (P = 0.001) than those weaned traditionally. After a set number of days wearing the device (recommended 4 – 7 days), the calves are physically separated from the dam with the intention that the lack of suckling will decrease stress, behavioral, and physical changes associated with weaning. Our objective was to determine if utilizing the anti-suckling devices for only 2 days was comparable to 4 days on performance, behavior, and vocalizations. MATERIALS AND METHODS 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Number Of Vocalizations Per Calf Day Effects Of Presence Or Absence Of Anti-Sucking Device On Vocalizations CON 2D 4D Treatments1 Item CON 2D 4D SEM2 P-value Growth parameters      Initial weight, lbs 562 558 568 17.9 0.92      Weaning weight, lbs 580 570 586 20.0 0.86      Day 28 weight, lbs 654 649 665 22.5 0.87      Post-weaning ADG3, lbs/d 2.74 2.91 2.95 0.19 0.67 Behavior parameters4      Eating occasions5, %/d 43.2a 44.4a 48.5b 1.03 0.03      Walking occasions6, %/d 7.0a 5.0b 5.4b 0.47 0.03      Suckling occasions, %/d 2.0 1.6 1.8 0.20 0.38 1Treatments: CON = control (no device); 2D = device placed on day -2; 4D = device placed on day -4 2SEM = highest standard error of the mean 3ADG = average daily gain 4Presented as percent of day spent in specified activity 5Linear effect of treatment; treatment means with unlike superscripts differ 6Quadratic effect of treatment; treatment means with unlike superscripts differ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research was supported by MSU Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program. RESULTS •  Conducted from 9-30-16 through 11-4-16   •  Trial conducted at the Derrickson Agricultural Complex  •  51 Angus cow/calf pairs; included both bull and heifer calves (initial weight = 565 ± 74 lbs)  •  Calves were randomly placed in 1 of 3 treatment groups: anti-suckling device placed four days prior to weaning (4D), two days prior to weaning (2D), or no device placed on calf (CON)   •  Anti-suckling devices were removed at weaning (10-8-16)   •  All calves were weaned using the fence-line method in the same pen  •  Calves were weaned on 10-8-16, average age at weaning = 221.1 ± 26.2 days  •  Calf weights were taken weekly for 4 weeks post-weaning; post-weaning average daily gain (ADG) was measured from day 0 (weaning) to day 28  •  Statistical analysis completed using the mixed procedures of SAS   Based on our results, the 2D and 4D group were similar across vocalizations and behaviors. The CON calves, however, exhibited more stress-like symptoms with increased vocalizations, increased walking and decreased eating occasions. Cattle producers can easily implement the application of anti-suckling devices without negatively affecting growth with the added benefit of decreased vocalizations and fewer occurrences of stress-like behaviors. LITERATURE CITED Boland, H. T., G. Scaglia, W. S. Swecker Jr., and N. C. Burke.           2008. Effects of alternate weaning methods on behavior, blood                  metabolites, and performance of beef calves. Prof. Anim. Sci.            24:539-551. Haley, D. B., D. W. Bailey, and J. M. Stookey. 2005. The       effects of weaning beef calves in two stages on their       behavior and growth rate. J. Anim. Sci. 83:2205-2214.  Price, E. O., J. E. Harris, J. E. Borgwardt, M. L. Sween, and J. M.            Connor. 2003. Fenceline contact of beef calves with their dam            at weaning reduces the negative effects of separation on        behavior and growth rate. J. Anim. Sci. 81:116-121.  Stookey, J. M., K. S. Schwartzkopf-Genswein, C. S. Waltz, and J.            M. Watts. 1997. Effects of remote and contact weaning on          behavior and weight gain of beef calves. J. Anim. Sci. 75       (Suppl. 1):83. (Abstr.)  Veissier, I. and P. Le Neindre. 1989. Weaning in calves: Its effect            on social organization. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 24:43-54.  RESULTS Weaning Day × Treatment, P < 0.0001 * * * * * * † * * * *†Denotes differences between  treatments on different days 

Impact Of Two-Stage Weaning On Calf Growth, Behavior, and Vocalizations

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Impact Of Two-Stage Weaning On Calf Growth, Behavior, and Vocalizations

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