Three years ago, we tried QuietWean nose tags on a few calves and this year we are using them on 60 calves. Why you ask?

We have found that the QuietWean nose tags reduce the stress of weaning and help to keep our calves healthier during the weaning process.

How We Use Them On Our Ranch

This year we put in the QuietWean nose tags when we vaccinated the calves. The QuietWean nose tags require us to put the calves through the cattle squeeze only one extra time.

The retention rate has been great with these nose flaps, especially when the calves are in a pasture without too many trees. This year we have had 2 that lost the nose flap and one that figured out how to flip the nose flap up so she could nurse.

As soon as they are put in, the calves are back with their mothers grazing. The cows do still call their calves a little bit on and off throughout the day, but nothing in comparison to weaning along a fence line.

The calves remain with their mothers for 4-7 days. Following are some photos of a few calves trying to nurse and the QuietWean nose tags are preventing them from being successful.

Removal of QuietWean Nose Tags

This year, we are taking the QuietWean nose flaps out after 5 days. Today, we are taking the flaps out and the calves will then be a fence line apart from the cows for a few days.

QuietWean nose tags drastically decrease the fence line walking of the calves and the calves quickly start eating hay and drinking from water troughs.

Beneficial To Our Operation

In our operation, we see a substantial health benefit to the cattle when using QuietWean nose tags and plan to continue to use them on our calves each year.  On our ranch, we strive to ensure that we work towards minimizing stress as much as possible when working cattle. Why not reduce stress using an easy and low-cost method? It is a win-win for us and the cattle.