Length of weaning period but not timingof vaccination affects feedlot receivingperformance and health of fall-weaned,ranch-direct beef calves

Introduction Weaning and preconditioning programs are thought to be crucial to calf health and performance during the finishing period. The stress of maternal separation, changes in diet, environmental changes, and exposure to unfamiliar pathogens increase susceptibility of recently weaned calves to bovine respiratory disease. Vaccination programs are implemented near weaning to decrease the incidence of respiratory disease.