Weaning Time on Local Farms & Ranches

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Pastures are dry and stressed and many farmers and ranchers are already weaning calves and getting
cows in shape for winter.

 

Pastures are "short" due to local dry weather and most of the spring born calves have gained about all the weight they are going to, on the old cow's milk. And, many area farmers and ranchers are weaning calves, either to sell directly or to pen and pre-condition them for a later sale. "My pastures are 'gone,' with the dry weather and I know that if I don't wean the calves, the old cows are going to be 'pulled-down' so that they'll go into the winter in bad shape," expressed one local rancher. "The Labor Day weekend is always a good time to wean, as usually either the sons, or son-in-law is visiting and I can get some 'free' labor!"

"We make a family affair of weaning calves and the Labor Day weekend," inserted another local farmer. "We cook BBQ, invite the family, and get the cows up and wean calves, in what has become a family tradition. You aren't going to get much more weight on the calves and you don't want the old cow to lose more weight, with winter ahead!"

 

Many area ranchers are already providing some protein supplement for their cows, as pastures
have become "short and dry," from lack of rainfall.

 

 

 

 

 

This is the general "thinking" among most farmers and ranchers in the Northeast Texas area, as the pastures are extremely dry and the calves are about as large as they are going to get, without some extra supplemental feeding.

"I background my calves, so it just mean getting them up, weaning them off the cow, and giving them their shots, so that I can feed them until the next NETBIO Sale," advised one local rancher. "We'll get them ready for the feedlot and give the old cow time to get ready for winter. It's always a good time to worm your cows and get them ready for the next round of calves!"

 

Some area farmers and ranchers use the Labor Day weekend to wean calves, when they have extra help
from family and friends.

 

 

"We've seen many ranchers bring their calves into the local sale barn," expressed David Fowler, owner of Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Company. "The pastures are short and most of the local ranchers are taking advantage of good prices and culling a little bit heavier on their mama cows, with the pastures being short and dry. The price is 'holding up' good, and they don't want to keep an ol' cow around that is eating what little bit of grass there is left out there!"

Many local ranchers are already feeding some supplemental protein, to keep their cows in good flesh for the winter. "I'm already putting out some protein to the cows, just to keep them eating the dry grass and so they won't lose weight for the winter," expressed one rancher. "It's a good idea to keep them in good flesh, so they can keep their weight and not have problems calving, come January and February of next year. A little bit of money spent on protein now, means that old cow will breed back next spring, after she calves!"

 

 

 

"Hopefully, we can get a little bit of rain and the grass will 'liven-up' and these old cows can graze for about six weeks, before frost," expressed another rancher. "Getting the calves weaned now, will give the cows plenty of time to get back in shape, before cold weather, if we get some fall rains!"

Most local farmers and ranchers are taking advantage of the good cattle prices, and marketing their animals or getting them ready to market in special sales, later in the fall. "It's always much more fun to be in the cattle business, when the price is good!" explained one local rancher. "And, we've been in pretty good shape, this year!"

 

Several local ranchers took their weaned calves to market, on Monday, when they were off work and
had help to catch and load their animals.

 

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