Effects of early or conventional weaning on beef cow and calf performance in pasture or drylot environments.

Performance of cows and calves during 63-d early or conventional weaning periods was evaluated. Spring-calving beef cows ( = 167) of similar age, body condition score (BCS), and body weight (BW = 599 ± 54.5 kg), and their calves (initial BW = 204 ± 26.

Effects of weaning method on postweaning performance by early weaned beef calves.

Health and performance of early-weaned steers were evaluated during a 56-d weaning period, a 56-d feedlot receiving period, and a 165-d feedlot finishing period. Steers ( = 239; 128 ± 14 d of age) were assigned to a 56-d weaning treatment: drylot weaning (D) or pasture weaning (P). Pasture steers grazed mature, native tallgrass range (89.