As beef cattle producers turn their attention to weaning, the Iowa Beef Center encourages producers to consider using its 205-Day Weight Calculator. This free spreadsheet tool assists beef producers in calculating standardized 205-day weaning weights. Producers enter calf identification, birth date, weaning date, weaning weight and cow age, and the Excel-based tool will calculate weaning weights to an adjusted 205-day weight.

Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Denise Schwab says adjusting weaning weights to a common calf age is important for comparing cows based on performance of the calves they produce. Weaning weights are used to evaluate differences in growth potential of calves and the milking ability of their mothers.

Sell low-producing cows

“In order to evaluate differences in weaning weights, individual calf records must be adjusted to a standard basis,” she says. “The Beef Improvement Federation recommends weaning weights be standardized to 205 days of age for the calves and a mature age-of-cow basis. These adjusted weights can then be used to rank the cow herd based on their productivity and sell low-producing cows.”

This tool is available on the calculator page of IBC. For information on the calculator or how to use it in your operation, contact your area ISU Extension beef specialist or contact the Iowa Beef Center at [email protected].

The Iowa Beef Center at ISU was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from ISU Extension, College of Ag and Life Sciences, and ISU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information for the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit iowabeefcenter.org.

Source: ISU, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.