Weaning represents a major welfare challenge for beef calves, involving simultaneous separation from dams and dietary transition, with evidence-based strategies available to reduce distress.
Weaning causes both psychological distress from maternal separation and physiological stress from dietary change. Research consistently shows that gradual weaning methods, fence-line contact, and prior feed acclimatisation reduce acute stress indicators including vocalisation and cortisol spikes. Low-stress handling methods used consistently from birth improve weaning resilience and long-term calf welfare.