There are a number of flow-on benefits from yard weaning that are not always realised on farm. Some of these benefits include more robust immune systems, as well as a quicker adaption to more crowded environments than experienced in home paddocks.
Earlier this year I was talking with a close contact from northern Australia, who wondered why producers in the southern regions made such a big deal from yard weaning. He commented that it was not really something new, and that Qld producers had been yard weaning for years. Effectively the question was “what’s the big deal, it’s not new!”
In some ways he is both right and wrong! And I know that that is like having a bet each way, but there are some subtle differences between the traditional weaning in yards, and what is now ,more commonly referred to as yard weaning.
Traditionally, producers who weaned cattle into yards used a short 4 to 8 day window to remove calves from cows. Kept in yards with access to food and water, the animals were often provided with a range of educational experiences. These might range from being moved through the yard system, including the race and crush area. Many producers used the opportunity to introduce movement with horses, dogs, or motor bikes. The animals may have learned to associate the yards and troughs with water and feed.
These systems worked very well and continue to be the backbone of most northern weaning programs. Well educated cattle move through yards easily and with less stress. Their early lessons help them adjust to new experiences and handling easily.
