When Should You Wean Calves?

Beef calves

are traditionally weaned between 6-8 months of age. However, cattle can be reared on forages and concentrates as early as 90 days of age. In fact, weaning at 90-120 days of age can be accomplished with proper nutritional management of the calf.

How soon can you wean a calf?

In most cases, calves can be weaned at 4 to 5 weeks if starter consumption is adequate. Calves that had scours and were off feed, or fed poor quality starter, or did not have water available may not be ready to wean at 4 weeks.

Can you wean a calf at 3 months?

Some people feed the calves while others just wean them on pasture. Calves 4-5 months of age transition better, as they're used to eating forage. Younger calves are trickier, but if you can meet the nutrient requirements of calves just 2-3 months old, they can be successfully weaned that young, Lardy adds.