Evaluation of Alternate Weaning Techniques with Fecal Cortisol Metabolites

Abstract

Weaning in beef cattle is defined as the physical separation of the cow-calf pair and is normally associated with dietary, social, environmental, and immunological changes in the calf. Abrupt weaning leads to behavioral changes, decreased weight gain, and increased levels of stress-associated hormones.

Alternative weaning methods are utilized to decrease stress on calves. Fenceline weaning is moving the calf into an adjacent paddock which ends suckling, but allows the calf to maintain social contact with its dam. Fenceline weaning reduces the time calves spend walking and vocalizing, and increases the time calves spend eating and lying down. Measurement of blood cortisol can be problematic due to the acute nature of cortisol release which may reflect handling and response to blood collection in addition to baseline cortisol status. The utilization of fecal cortisol metabolites allows determination of cortisol status hours prior to sampling. The objective of this study was to compare fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations in beef calves weaned abruptly and by alternate techniques.