Young cattle destined for some sort of early weaning program need special care.

They need special attention because they are only kids - they’re still growing and their immune system has not developed.

Early weaning has become popular practice amongst many producers, for many reasons.

In the south, dry conditions over the last few years have made early weaning a viable and good decision.

But removing four- or fivemonth- old calves from their mothers, and locking them up in a confined area with lots of other calves is particularly stressful on them.

It is also stressful on the cows and on us, but we’re grown up so we probably get over it a bit quicker and with less harm.

Since a young calf has yet to fully develop its immune system it is less able to fight off any infections it picks up, which can quickly go through the young mob.

Calves are less resistant, break down with symptoms and release more bugs into the yard, quickly spreading the infection.

Since they are experiencing the stress of being in an unfamiliar environment, they can succumb quickly to disease.

Respiratory infections, secondary bacterial infections and Pinkeye can be common in large mobs of early weaners locked up together, unless they are under particularly good management.

This could be as simple as feeding them the right ration and making sure they all get their share, providing cool, clean water, and minimising dust and wet areas in the yard.

Reducing flies and vaccinating for 5-in-1 and Pinkeye, and seeking good advice on the need to vaccinate for respiratory infection is important.

Good management also means watching the mob closely, walking among them and removing and treating the sick ones in a separate area.

Calves of this age need about sixteen per cent protein in their ration. Buying pellets of this level is an easy - but expensive - way to do it this year.

You can mix your own ration to get this level, and while it’s not difficult, it’s often a good idea to talk to someone who’s done it properly before.

Providing some roughage for the calves to chew on is essential, even if pellets make up the bulk of the ration.

Not too many pre-school teachers also manage early weaned calves, but their experience would be great if they did.

Put a mob of these ankle biters together for any length of time with nothing to do, and they’ll form gangs and progressively destroy the place.

Some producers run the gauntlet of weird looks from their neighbours by hanging tyres or putting soccer balls in the early weaner pens.

It gives them something to think about, instead of looking for ways to destroy the valve in the water trough.

Either way, contented weaners will often sit quietly in the shade of their pen, chewing their rapidly developing cud.

The trick is to spend some time watching them to see that they are doing all right.