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Comparative Performance of Beef Calves Weaned at 90 and 180 Days of Age^{1, 2}

University of Maryland

Abstract

Beef calves were weaned at 90 or 180 days and fed individually until 370 days of age in order to establish feeding and management practices for the earlier weaned calves. Comparisons were also made of the performance of the two groups in view of the possibility of designing a quicker test for rate and economy of gains for beef calves. Heifers weaned at 90 days of age were lighter in weight at 180 days than those weaned later but were of similar weight at 1 year of age. Breed differences were not found in weight and few differences between years were noted. The main difference between the 90- and 180-day weaned groups was in rate of gain, wherein the average gain per 28-day feeding period was much more uniform for the 90-day group. Present indications are that 90-day weaning does not adversely affect beef calves and perhaps an earlier evaluation of rate of gain is possible by early weaning.

¹ Scientific Article No. A394, Contribution No. 2413 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (Department of Animal Husbandry), University of Maryland.

² This work was supported in part by funds provided through the Southern Regional Beef Cattle Breeding Project, S-10.

³ Prepared in part from University of Maryland M.S. thesis of Mr. John Buric. The writers are indebted to Dr. J. E. Foster, Head, Department of Animal Husbandry for making this work possible.

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