Effect of fenceline contact at weaning for performance in beef calves in the southwestern United States

This study examined fenceline contact between beef calves and cows at weaning and the subsequent comparisons for behavioral distress and related reductions in weight gain. Eighty-seven crossbred calves were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups for eight weeks. Six replications were conducted to determine the effect of different weaning techniques on their subsequent growth while three replications were observed for behavioral differences. Treatments were 1) fenceline separation from dams for one week, 2) fenceline separation from dams for two weeks, and 3) total separation (abrupt weaning) from their dams. Calves were weighed on the day of weaning and at 7, 14, 35 and 56 days post-weaning. In the days following weaning, the one-week fenceline weaned calves spent more time eating (eating hay) than either the total separation or two week fenceline weaned treatments (P < 0.05). The total separation treatment spent more time pacing and in close proximity to the fence (P < 0.05) than the other two treatments. The one week and two week fenceline treatments spent less time calling (vocalizing) to their dams than the total separation treatment (P < 0.05). The one-week fenceline treatment gained more weight than the other treatment groups during the first week (P < 0.05) and continued to be heavier at the end of eight weeks (P < 0.001). It was concluded that providing fenceline contact between beef calves and beef cows for one week following weaning reduces behavioral indices of distress seen in the totally separated calves. In addition, one week of fenceline contact with dams at weaning minimizes losses in weight gain in the days following separation.