Since we have only had cattle on the ranch for the past 10 months, we are experiencing many firsts regarding their management and care. In other words, we are total “newbs” when it comes to cattle, and have taken on the challenge of learning to care for our cattle according to humane, holistic practices as much as possible.
That being said, we take the time to educate ourselves through both researching the latest innovations and gleaning the wisdom from more experienced ranchers in order to care for our cattle the best we can. In this case, a local cattleman informed us about the Quiet Wean, a simple, reusable plastic paddle that is inserted into a calf’s nose, impeding it from being able to nurse any longer, yet allowing the calf to stay with its mother. This product was said to greatly reduce the stress involved in the typically weaning process, where cow and calf are separated into different paddocks or corrals. The calves bawl incessantly, despondent with a separation anxiety of sorts for a period of a couple weeks. The cows, wanting to be good mamas to their young, also voice their displeasure at the situation, and even periodically will break though fences to comfort their distressed calf.
During this time, it is not uncommon for the calves to develop respiratory illness from the stress-filled bawling episodes. They also don’t tend to eat as much, and pace nervously, for up to as much as 25 miles in a day. This will lead to loss of weight and body condition, which affects the producer’s bottom line as well as their livestock’s quality of life. Case study results utilizing a 2-stage weaning process with the Quiet Wean paddle are promising, and have shown calves weaned in this manner bawl next to zero, eat much more, and walk much less. All leading to happier, healthier calves, contented cows, better profits for the producer, and far less fencing repairs as an added bonus!
After learning all this, we were compelled to give it a try. That decision was easy. Now for the more difficult part: getting the plastic paddle in our calf Easter’s nose. Being newbs, we didn’t know a squeeze chute from a head catch, and so with humility we relied on our friends and neighbors for a little ranching edification. Then, with our portable swing gate and head catch in place, we embarked on our first endeavor at getting a calf caught in something it doesn’t want to go through. During our first only mildly fumbling attempt, I imagined big top circus music as an appropriate soundtrack for our efforts. However, Tim, Andy, Easter and I persevered, and the Quiet Wean paddle was installed successfully.
With Lori reunited with her calf Easter, they went right to eating together side-by-side. We observed Easter’s first unsuccessful attempts to nurse. While slight annoyance was conveyed at the onset, she never appeared distressed. Lori actually appeared relieved that her nursing duties were completed. After 8 days, we separated Easter and Lori in neighboring paddocks, and waited eagerly for the true test of our experiment. We were pleased to witness that after only a few mild bawls from Easter, she went to eating some fresh hay contentedly. Success! Consequently, we give a hearty endorsement for the Quiet Wean, a reusable $2 piece of plastic that greatly reduces the stress of cow and calf going through the “growing pains” of the weaning process. For our part, we feel like we all earned another ranching merit badge, and are thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow a little more.
Blessings,
Grant
