Weaning Weights and Calculations

Recording weaning weight is an important step in the weaning process. Weaning weight data drives growth analysis, market intelligence, and breeding evaluations.

How Weaning Weight Is Recorded

When you wean an animal, you can record the weaning weight as part of the process:

  1. During the weaning action, enter the animal’s weight in the Weaning Weight field.
  2. The weight is saved to the animal’s weight history with a weaning weight designation.

Calculations Using Weaning Weight

With both a birth weight and weaning weight on record, Cattle360 can calculate:

  • Total pre-weaning gain — Weaning weight minus birth weight.
  • Average daily gain (ADG) — Total gain divided by the number of days from birth to weaning.
  • Gain per day trends — How the animal’s growth rate compares over time.

Weaning from Different Screens

You can wean animals from multiple places in the app:

  • Production > Weaning screen — The dedicated weaning interface that shows all weanable animals. Best for bulk weaning.
  • Animal record — Wean an individual animal from its record. Best for one-off weaning.
  • Group view — Select animals within a group and use bulk weaning. Best when your calves are already organized into a group.

Why Weaning Weight Matters

  • Dam evaluation — A cow’s ability is often measured by the weaning weight of her calves. Higher weaning weights indicate better milking ability and mothering.
  • Sire evaluation — Comparing weaning weights across a sire’s offspring helps evaluate his genetic contribution to growth.
  • Market readiness — Weaning weight is a starting point for estimating when calves will reach marketable weight.
  • Market intelligence — Accurate weaning weights give the sell signal engine a better baseline for projecting current weights and market value.

Tips

  • Weigh and wean on the same day. Recording weight at the time of weaning ensures the most accurate data.
  • Use a working for large groups. If you’re weaning many calves at once, set up a working with a weaning task to process them efficiently.
  • Compare within contemporary groups. Comparing weaning weights among calves of similar age and management gives the most meaningful evaluation of dam and sire performance.