Investigating cow-calf productive performance under early and conventional weaning practices in south african beef cattle

Abstract

Weaning age is a critical decision in beef cattle systems, ultimately influencing productivity and reproductive efficiency. This study investigated the productive performance of 152 Bonsmara cow-calf pairs under two distinct weaning practices: Early Weaning (EW) at 90 days and Conventional Weaning (CW) at 205 days. Data were obtained from the Arcadia Farmland cattle herd in the Vrede region of South Africa, comparing primiparous heifers with EW calves to a group of primiparous and second-time calving heifers with CW calves as a baseline comparison, reflecting limited research on EW in South Africa. EW calves received grower meal and natural grazing post-weaning, while CW calves depended on maternal milk and natural grazing. The farm's productive data indicated that CW achieved higher weaning weights per calf (+27 kg), highlighting productivity benefits. Conversely, EW reduced inter-calving periods (347 vs. 419 days), enhanced fertility, and improved herd reproductive efficiency, offering advantages in drought-prone settings. A General Linear Model (GLM) was applied to assess the influence of productive factors on 205-day calf weight. The model identified weaning practice and dam calving weight as significant predictors. Heavier dams produced heavier calves, likely due to better maternal conditions. These results highlight trade-offs between live weight gain (CW) and reproductive efficiency (EW), reinforcing the need for context-specific weaning strategies in South African beef systems.