Beef Weaner Calf Health

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With weaning right around the corner, it’s crucial to have a plan in place to keep calves healthy and growing strong. Here’s what we need to focus on:

  • Parasite Control: Once calves are off their mothers’ milk and onto pasture, internal parasites can limit growth. Effective drench use is the key to staying on top of this. Injectable combination drenches such as Dectomax V or Eclipse E are available or alternatively Eclipse pour-on can also be used.

  • Minerals: Two key minerals we need to think about are selenium and copper. Selenium is essential for immune system and overall health. This is where Selovin LA comes in handy – it’s a long-acting option that keeps selenium levels adequate for up to 12 months. Copper is crucial for growth. Copacap copper bullets provide long-lasting supplementation or you can use a copper injection. The Coppermax or Copaject injection is especially useful if wintering on brassicas.

  • Vaccination: In order to protect the calves from clostridial diseases Covexin 10 in 1 or Multine 5 in 1 can be used at weaning, followed by a booster a month later. These vaccinations are crucial if going onto fodderbeet.

Summary

  • Recommendation at Weaning: Combination Drench, Selenium Supplementation, Vaccination (1st Covexin).

  • 5 weeks later: Copper supplementation, 2nd Covexin and drench if required.

So, as we’re gearing up for weaning, make sure you’ve got your bases covered with parasite control, minerals, and vaccinations. It’ll set the calves up for success as they make the transition to pasture-based diets.