Weaning can be stressful for both calves and producers. A good diet can help, supporting the calves’ growth and productivity throughout the feeding period. Importantly, such a diet can also guard against illness and bacterial infection, both of which can gain a toehold at this transitional time.

Respiratory disease is the most common ailment during the weaning period. For example, a calf is most susceptible to bovine respiratory disease (BRD) during its first four weeks post-weaning. BRD costs the beef industry over $1 billion annually, and prevention is key in reducing treatment costs and preventing performance losses.

Gut health is crucial

Since an animal’s digestive tract contains approximately 70% of its entire immune system, rumen development and gut health should be at the top of the list when weaning and receiving calves and getting them started on feed.

Gut health refers to an animal’s ability to efficiently absorb and utilize nutrients and to keep harmful microbes and pathogens contained. If the lining, or barrier, of the digestive tract is weak, these microbes and pathogens can escape into the rest of the body, causing numerous diseases, including BRD.

Because cattle stressors — not only weaning itself, but transportation, commingling, changes in diet, and diet restriction — can harm the gut lining, continuous support for gut health is essential. Feeding strategies that focus on this are vital to increasing performance and reducing treatment costs, leading to more profitable production.

Vitamins and minerals

Many good articles and blogs are available to provide tips for successfully weaning calves and adapting them to feed. A good rule of thumb is that calves should be consuming 2.5% to 3% (on a 100% dry matter basis) of their body weight within the first 30 days post weaning. Gradual increases in feed quantity, along with gradual diet or ingredient changes, will aid in the proper adaptation of rumen microflora, improving gut health.

However, feed quantity is only part of the puzzle. Microbes within the digestive tract have vitamin and mineral requirements for proper function and nutrient digestion. Supplementing these in the weaning ration is crucial to gut health, not only supporting nutrient uptake overall but enhancing immunity and improving response to vaccines and treatments.

Vitamin and mineral supplements vary widely and should be chosen carefully for maximum benefit. For example, organic trace minerals are considerably more bioavailable to calves during weaning, which aids in nutrient absorption, bolsters gut health, and reduces harmful excretions of excess minerals into the environment.

Beneficial bacteria

Prebiotics and probiotics are also gaining ground in today’s feeding and supplementation programs. Both are excellent options to improve gut health at weaning.

Prebiotics are non-digestible feed ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of bacteria within the digestive tract, providing “food” for the beneficial microbes already existing there. Research shows that prebiotics enhance rumen fermentation, improve digestion, aid in nutrient absorption, and contribute to immune system development.

Probiotics are specific types of live microorganisms, including bacteria from the Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus groups as well as mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) derived from yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. They help shift the gut microbiome in favor of helpful microbes that are known to improve health and performance. Probiotics also naturally produce metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), vitamins, enzymes and antimicrobial compounds, which play important roles in building gut health and integrity and reducing harmful inflammation.

Weaning is an especially tricky time, but a smart diet strategy can turn it into an opportunity. By providing good nutrition to your calves, you can promote growth and productivity, prevent illness and infection, and maximize profitability.

About the author: 

Bryan Sanderson grew up in Lake Preston, South Dakota, and spent most of his childhood working on pig, crop and cattle farms. After receiving a degree in animal science from South Dakota State University, with minors in ag marketing and ag business, Bryan began his impressive career in animal agriculture. With experience in livestock production, feedlot supervision, sales and finance, Bryan is currently the U.S. beef business manager for Alltech.

For the U.S. pork industry, 2024 began with continued unprofitability. High ingredient costs and lower demand weighed heavily on the market. The word used most often to describe our producers was “resilient.” While the industry continued to focus on sustainability and the wise use of resources, the economic component of sustainability, primarily the profitability of pork operations and concerns about the ability to pass farms on to the next generation, became more pronounced.

Fortunately, lower grain prices in early spring ended the longest period of losses the industry had faced since 1998, and profitability returned to our producers as they worked to build back equity. Domestic demand became a focal point, since pork is considered a good value compared to beef, but pork still seemed to be lagging in the retail space. Taste, freshness and value are the top three attributes that consumers look for when purchasing protein. With this in mind, increasing our focus on innovation and how to find new uses for pork — especially the loin — will be important as we look to increase the value of the whole pork carcass.

Exports were a bright spot in 2024, with an increase over 2023, which was also a good year. Mexico is our number-one export market, while countries like the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Australia experienced significant growth. 

Productivity was good, and although sow numbers declined, the number of pigs weaned increased — which is a tribute to the efficiency and sustainability of our industry. Despite higher hog production numbers, market prices have remained higher than anticipated through the end of the year, leading to some much-needed profitability through the end of 2024.

As we look ahead to 2025, trade will continue to be top of mind as the pork industry attempts to avoid disruptions and maintain our current markets while establishing new ones. Growing domestic demand will be a key issue, and plans are in place to build upon the work that’s already been done to promote the taste, freshness and good value of pork as a protein. We’ll also keep taking advantage of the latest food trends, including increased interest in high-protein diets. 

There is some concern about producer fatigue related to the topics of disease prevention and preparedness. However, the threat of African swine fever (ASF) and H5N1 is a near and present concern. Funding for animal health programs is done through the Farm Bill, which makes passage of this piece of legislation key for the pork industry. Threats of disease, whether domestic or transboundary, should serve as a reminder of the value of our farmers’ biosecurity programs and the need to remain ever vigilant.

Finally, human capital continues to be both our greatest asset and one of our greatest challenges. Finding people to work on our farms and in our businesses isn’t easy, and rural areas are already experiencing unemployment rates lower than the national average. Still, whether by engaging with our youth or looking at non-traditional sources of labor, our farmers continue to promote the many opportunities agriculture can offer.

Our resiliency served the pork industry well in 2024, as we met challenges head on and found ways to overcome them. Continuing to focus on productivity, innovation and advocacy will serve us well in 2025.

About the author:

Lori Stevermer is the customer success manager for Alltech's U.S. Pork team. In this role, she collaborates with the company's marketing, sales, technical and management teams to drive internal efficiencies and collaborations that have a positive impact at the customer level.

Lori is deeply interested in and passionate about the swine industry. She currently serves as the president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), where she is also a member. Lori enjoys talking with people about farming and agriculture — and they enjoy talking to her just as much thanks to the wealth of information and advice she offers.

Lori earned a bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband, Dale, raise pigs, corn and soybeans near Easton, Minnesota. In her spare time, Lori enjoys biking, running and spending time with her family.

I want to learn more about pig nutrition.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] – Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with two public performances of this year’s Alltech Celebration of Song on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Amid a stunning display of Christmas decor, Alltech’s 19th annual holiday concert for the Lexington community will feature traditional carols and popular Christmas music performed by the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, winners of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, the Uniting Voices Lexington youth choir and other special guest singers.

More than 80 singers will perform in the two concerts, accompanied by a professional orchestra, and audience members will be invited to sing along during classic Christmas favorites. Admission and parking are complimentary, and the event is open to all.

Celebration of Song has been Alltech’s annual holiday gift to the community since 2006. Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons was inspired to spread the joy of the season through music after attending a community Christmas festival while traveling in Brazil.

“We’re excited to celebrate the holidays with our community and with UK Opera Theatre, with whom we partner on several events, including our Vocal Scholarship Competition, which has enabled more than 200 UK students to pursue their musical dreams while receiving an education in the arts,” said Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, Alltech co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction.

“Christmas is about bringing families and communities together to celebrate the love and joy of the season,” said Dr. Everett McCorvey, director of UK Opera Theatre. “This is our gift to you.”

Visit alltech.com/alltech-celebration-song-2024 to learn more.

Celebration of Song brings people from all walks of life together through the magic of holiday music. This year, it is also encouraging them to make a difference for those who have been devastated by Hurricane Helene. Donations for Hurricane Helene relief are being accepted via the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, which supports the philanthropic endeavors of Alltech and the Lyons family. Learn more at pearselyonsace.org. 

Alltech is a global leader in the animal health and nutrition industry, focused on natural scientific solutions to today’s biggest agriculture and food industry challenges. Due to our continued growth, we have a career opportunity for Business Manager at our Dhaka office in Bangladesh. The Global Support Team is comprised of dynamic, professional individuals located around the globe, dedicated to outstanding service to our staff.