Device runs rings around weaning

Weaning was once the most loathed event on Peter Cahill’s calendar. These days, thanks to some African-developed technology, he hardly notices it – and the calves seem to notice even less.

For the past five years, Mr Cahill has weaned his calves while they run in the same mob with their mothers, courtesy of a nosering that prevents the calves from suckling.

“I hate yard weaning”, said Mr Cahill, who manages the 4800-hectar Old Hidden Vale at Grandchester, Queensland, for Flight Centre founder Graham “Skroo” Turner.

“It always rains when you’ve got the calves in the yard, or it’s dusty. You have to feed them; they get sick – it’s stressful for the cows and the calves.”

Hunting for alternatives about five years ago, Mr Cahill came across an ad for EasyWean® noserings. He hasn’t had to yard wean since.

EasyWean® noserings were developed in South Africa, where they have been used since 1997.

By giving the cow a jab whenever the calf attempts to suckle from her, prompting a swift rejection, the noserings break the calf’s dependency on its mother for milk.

However, the traditional challenge with weaning is less about nutrient – older calves tend to only suckle out of habit anyway – but with the stress that is felt by highly social animals when mother and offspring are parted.

The EasyWean® noserings maintain this all-important social link while the calf is learning to be independent. Mr Cahill said the results of using the rings on Old Hidden Vale speak for themselves.

“After six to eight weeks with the noserings, separating the calves from their mothers is about as stressful as drafting steers from heifers.

“The calves don’t have to adjust to a different feed, and they are still with their mates. The only reason I really need to separate the calves is to stop bulls going over their daughters,” he said.

That lack of stress also adds up for productivity.

“I don’t have any data, but my observation is that the calves always lost weight during yard weaning, but there is absolutely no weight loss with the noserings. I think some calves might gain weight during nosering weaning.”

At the same time, Mr Cahill has shed the feeding, labour and animal health costs associated with yard weaning.

As a dedicated cell-grazer, the rings also allow him to keep his stock in one mob for longer in order to maximise the trampling and dunging impact of the short graze/long rest cycles he works on.

The labour involved in putting the rings in is minimal – the calves are put in a crush, and the bolt that secures the ring is tightened to the point that the ring is secure, without hurting the calf’s nose.