Weaning range beef calves in the Southwest

The fall of the year is the most important period of the year financially for the Southwest rancher. Many decisions have to be made concerning the years calf crop and how to market, vaccinate, wean and ship these calves. Below are sources of information from the CRLRC, as well as, other sources.

Weaning beef calves

Weaning calves from the CRLRC

• Minimizing Weaning Stress on Calves
  An excellent explanation of weaning stress and solutions to minimizing stress. Data from CRLRC fenceline weaning program. (NMSU CES Guide B-221, June 2008)

• Preconditioning Beef Calves
  A superb explanation of preconditioning programs, value added calf programs and premiums, with a cost analysis and potential return on your investment. Includes data from the CRLRC weaning program study since 2002. (NMSU CES Circular C-637, October 2008)

• Building the Immune System of Calves.
  Handouts from the 2007 CRLRC Half Day of College. An explanation of the calf immune system with recommendations on vaccination of calves. (Effective Health Programs 110, 2007 CRLRC Half Day of College)

• Do Preconditioning Programs PAY?
  Article in BEEF magazine examining preconditioning programs, with an interview of Dr. Clay Mathis explaining the data from the CRLRC Preconditioning Program. (By Bert Rutherford. BEEF Magazine, August 2008)

• The Nose Knows
  Article in BEEF magazine examining fenceline weaning, with an interview of Dr. Clay Mathis explaining the data from the CRLRC Weaning Program. (By Bert Rutherford. BEEF Magazine, July 2008)

General Information from the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service

• Early Weaning Beef Calves
  A great resource for making the decision to early wean during times of drought to help the cow herd regain body condition. (NMSU CES Guide B-126, April 2005)

• Use of Groth Implants in Suckling Beef Calves
  An excellent explanation of the use and potential impact in value when using growth implants on calves. (NMSU CES Guide B-218, July 2000)

• Value Added Calf Programs for New Mexico Livestock Producers
  A general guide describing pre-conditioning methods and the economic returns for each program. (NMSU CES Gude B-220, September 2008)

• Cattle Vaccination and Immunity
  An explanation of how vaccines work and why cattle still get sick. (NMSU CES Guide B-222, September 2008)

• Calf Vaccination Guidelines
  A current guideline for calf vaccinations. (NMSU CES Guide B-223, January 2009)