Weaning Show Calves

This was a discussion on another post but it got me thinking, what is the age that you wean your show calves. We wean our show calves at 5 Months. What does every one else do?

Had a big time trader come through wants a first of march of the cow July 4th

Calves wean fairly well @ 90 days. Helps a bunch if they are eating well ahead of time. That's kind of the cut off age for us.

Maybe a stupid question, but why so early. We have always left our calves on till at least 6 months. I know they are a little harder to break, but the amount of gain you get by leaving them on the cow more than makes up for that I would think.

actually you are wrong...

early weaning calves pays in two ways..

1- for those who sell young calves in public auction-- if you wean and get that calf on a good, high fat, show type ration-- you are going to have less stress, more bloom, and in general-- higher valued calves come sale time-- especially compared to those who will pull the calves off mom the week before the sale.  Fact of life-- grain puts pounds on-- milk only does to a certain amount-- but most of it is 'white meat'.  That's why the people who creep their calves have such good luck-- best of both worlds.  Think of it this way-- those calves will be out with the cow eating grass instead of in a barn lot on a self feeder-- grass does not equal good gains in show calves.  Show calf people don't care about grass, that' the poor man's foodstuff. 

2- it's far cheaper and easier to feed the calves-- than it is the cow.  kick her out to grass and forget about her.  I just read a study where you saved over 1/3 of the feed costs associated with graining calves- as compared to their mothers and/ or calves both. 

I've been thinking of this for a couple years now- and finally made the plunge.  Weaned my babies half the age they normally get weaned-- and they look tremendous, better than they've ever looked.

the calves that win shows have condition. I don't care if they are only 5 months old, they'll be chubby. its hard to get one chubby if its out on the cow. plus its easier to break them and get the hair working. I'm planning on weaning end of Feb/beginning of march calves in May.

Interesting. I have always heard of people weaning show calves early. Now just have to convince my grandfather that this is a good idea. Anyone know where you can find the research to back this up. I have a feeling I am going to need an arsenal of info to go to war with the old man on this one. LOL.

experience is the only research i have.

I dealt with a similar situation with my father in law who wanted no part of it.  He never gave in till his dying day.  Best compromise I could get - and it actually works about as well - maybe better - pick your best ones out and feed momma and baby like show calves.  Her milk will be better and the calf will really take off.  You still need to wean about 4 months old, but old timers can digest that better when the calf is already up around 500 lbs.

We now wean every thing at 4 months, whether it will be shown or not. We tend to get better growth this way. Also, we just had a 13 month old female calve who was bred be a bull the same age! Not taking that chance again!

So when you guys are weaning your calves early, have they been on creep feed? If so when did you put the creep feeder in with the calves?

yes 2 weeks of age.