Rational weaning as a strategy to promote animal welfare in Braford breeds

Abstract

Following producer concerns, the effect of traditional weaning (TW) vs. rational weaning (RW) on cow behavior was evaluated in a commercial farm in Artigas, Uruguay. A group of 109 multiparous Braford cows with calves was randomly divided into two groups: RW (n=54) and TW (n=55). For TW, calves were separated from their dams in the handing facility and removed from the farm, after which cows were returned to the paddock. For RW, calves were separated in a previously delineated corner of the paddock shared by the cow-calf pair and subsequently removed from the paddock and farm. Behavior (foraging, standing, eating) was evaluated for 6 days post-weaning, with observations every 15 minutes from 7 to 12 AM and 14 to 18 PM. A regression model with multinomial distribution was fitted to predict the probability that animals in each treatment were associated with walking, standing and eating. Time spent on each activity was calculated as a daily proportion. In group WT 89% of cows walked during 40% of the day compared to 11% of the day in RW, P<0.0001). Furthermore 59% of TW cows were standing and occupied 23% of the day in this activity vs. 41% of RW cows that were standing and occupied 19% of the day (P<0.0001). In addition, 34% more cows in the RW treatment fed and spent 66% of the day feeding compared to cows in the TW treatment (P<0.0001). Cows in the RW treatment spent more time feeding, did not walk in search of the calf, and stood less time than TW cows. In conclusion, RW cows resumed their usual patterns more quickly, favouring animal welfare and possibly a better response to weaning stress. This work suggests investigating the impact of RW on homeostasis and performance, and its potential incorporation to minimize negative impacts of weaning.