Assessment of weaning and backgrounding management practices used by Alabama beef cattle producers

Beef calf management strategies used during the weaning and postweaning period can have extended effects on growth performance and health in the production chain. With the number of different practices beef cow-calf operators can use during these stages of production, it is important for Extension educators to understand which management strategies are most commonly used and where educational gaps might exist. The objective of this study was to determine farmer perceptions, on-farm applications, and potential barriers to adopting beef calf weaning and backgrounding strategies among Alabama producers. An online survey with 24 total questions was developed and distributed to cattle producers in the state of Alabama in March 2022. Questions addressed whether producers use managed weaning and backgrounding strategies, and respondents followed a predetermined question track based on this response. A total of 214 complete responses were received with 94% of respondents considering their operation to be a cow-calf operation. Most participants (46%) had a herd size of 50 cows or less. Abrupt weaning was the most widely used method of weaning (55%) among producers. Over half (61%) of producers indicated they background their calves, and another 25% stated that they do in some years but not always. For respondents that do not background their calves, market unpredictability is the main driver surrounding the decision to keep calves for backgrounding or to sell immediately after weaning. Key challenges producers who practice managed weaning and backgrounding strategies face in their operations include input costs, land availability, and market predictability. Methods for marketing backgrounded calves differed across respondents, with 49% of respondents using local livestock auctions to sell calves. Developing demonstration data models to address cost benefits of weaning and backgrounding may help producers evaluate areas of challenges identified in this survey. Extension educators can apply these data to create resources centered around backgrounding cattle to help improve potential applications of management after weaning.