God created the universe in seven days? That’s nothing; we can wean calves in six.

Our beef heifers are bursting. They’ll bid farewell in the coming days, though it remains to be seen whether Abigail’s mass displacement of cattle will affect the price – to be fair I’ve met nicer Abigails. Seeing them pull out the gate will be akin to loosening the belt after Christmas dinner – the sheds are brimming here. Two-thirds of the suckler herd were pulled in last Saturday and the fact that the heifers haven’t shifted is limiting our capacity to wean.

We began the weaning process in the middle of the week, allowing calves a few days to recover from an ivermectin dose. They also received their booster pneumonia vaccination on the way in.

The calving shed doubles-up as our weaning area. One of its slatted pens runs parallel to a straw pen. On day one, calves are split into the straw. They’re alongside their mothers and have access to fresh silage, a warm bed and a high-protein, energy-dense, palatable ration twice a day.

On day two, they re-join their mothers for a brief drink in the evening. It’s the first thing I do when I arrive in the yard at feeding time. Then when everything else is wrapped up, laying out some silage and a mineral dressing to the freshly-suckled cows coaxes them to the feed-faces.

While their backs are turned, the calves are sneaked back onto the straw. Waiting for them is a fresh bed and a kilo of meal. The process repeats itself on day 3 and day 5. They can then usually be weaned on the sixth day.

A firm eye is kept to make sure silage is being eaten up by the wannabe weanlings. Intake needs to be high at point of separation. If I’m not happy, they’ll get another two days.

Our first calves were weaned completely on Thursday, a feat that many of the neighbours will have already become aware of. The chorus pauses only momentarily when their feed is offered – the silence is golden. The next addition to the choir will take place early this week.