Using a weaning device is not normally associated with the dairy industry as most calves are taken off their mothers at birth and bottle fed. But this practice often leads to calves attempting to suckle each other, potentially causing future udder damage and loss of milk production.
Dairy farmers across Australia have found a solution to this problem by using an anti-suckling device on their calves.
The popularity of EasyWean® noserings has even extended abroad.
Matthew Beautlerk, Allegraine Jersey Dairies, South Africa has been using EasyWean noserings since 1997, since they discovered problems with their calves suckling each other.
“The suckling induces a hormone imbalance in the heifer causing her to go through early puberty and this damages the udder,” Mr Beautlerk said.
At Allegraine the calves are taken away from their mothers at birth and placed in a calf pen where they are given regular bottle feeds.
Mr Beautlerk said the suckling problem started when calves graduated from the pen to group life, which included the transition from milk to concentrates and grass.
“Once the calves are out of the pen, about ten percent show the inclination to suckle,” he said. “One suckler can damage four to five udders.”
To combat the problem, a nosering is clamped on each suckler and when the suckling calf goes for the udders of other heifers, the plastic spikes on the ring poke the suckled calf and it kicks at the source of irritation and so breaks the suckling cycle.
“We have found the nosering extremely useful,” Beautlerk said.
“It is going very well as they are easy to put in and take out.”
The Australian-made EasyWean® noserings are easily identified because they are bright orange, spiky and made from acetyl plastic, which is hardy and means they can be reused over many seasons.
The nosering is easily fitted in a few minutes by pushing the lugs into the nose and tightening the bolt and wing nut until the ring is tight but can still move up and down.
Contact EasyWean® for more information.
EasyWean® is proudly Australian owned and made
