Episode 105 – Yard weaning benefits calf health
In this episode, Curtis Pannett, farming in Central Otago, explains how yard weaning gives calves a better start to life and improves long-term growth and temperament. Drawing on experience from his own farm and large Australian cattle operations, he shares his advice on how calves are kept in the yards, getting them used to people and dogs helps them settle quickly, mustering and better management with moving winter feed breaks.
Guest:
- Curtis Pannett, Cattle farmer, Central Otago
Host:
- Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide
Curtis discusses the practical steps involved in yard weaning, including pen size, daily handling routines and how to manage calves from different parts of the farm. He explains how regular interaction during the weaning process helps calves learn to cope with pressure, develop calmer temperaments, and put more energy into growth. He also highlights why investing time upfront in yard weaning can reduce stress, improve feed efficiency, and make winter management more straightforward for the whole herd.
Read the article featuring Curtis here:
https://country-wide.co.nz/yard-weaning-benefits-growth-rates-and-calf-health/
For information on Tower contact your local ADAMA commercial manager or visit the website – http://www.adama.com
