What is "weaning weight" in livestock?

Weaning weight refers specifically to the weight of a young animal at the time it is separated from its mother. This is a critical developmental stage for livestock, as it marks the transition from mother's milk to independent feeding, usually on solid food. Weaning weight is an important metric in animal husbandry because it can serve as an indicator of the health and growth potential of the animal, which can influence breeding decisions and overall management practices.

Understanding weaning weight also helps in assessing the effectiveness of maternal care and nutrition before weaning, as these factors directly impact the growth and future productivity of the offspring. Therefore, weaning weight is a key performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of breeding programs and the economics of livestock production.