Abstract: Temporary weaning (TW) of beef calves for 5?14 days is a husbandry practice that is frequently used to help advance rebreeding in postpartum cows. The aim of this study was to compare the behaviour response to two-step weaning with the use of nose flaps, in beef calves that had or not been submitted to TW with nose flaps during the breeding period.

Early weaning is used to advance postpartum ovulation in beef cows, but triggers a stress response, affecting cows’ and calves’ welfare. Our aim was to compare the response to early weaning in multiparous and primiparous cows. Seventy-one days after birth, calves from 14 primiparous and 11 multiparous cows were weaned. Since birth, cow’s body weight (BW), body condition (BC), milk yield and calves’ BW were recorded. Basophil/neutrophil relationship, total protein and albumin concentrations were measured before and after weaning.