Abstract: A step-down sucking method is provided for minimizing the weaning stress of newborn calves. The method features feeding newborn calves with a sufficient amount of milk corresponding to 15-25% of body weight for 3-5 weeks following birth, and then with a stepwise decreased amount of milk corresponding finally to 8-15% of body weight for 3-7 days, with the differential amount replaced with water and then with gradually decreased amounts of milk from 8-15% to zero % of the body weight and with solid feedstuffs for a period from 5 weeks to 6-8 weeks after birth, thereby inducing the calves to maximally take solid feedstuff with minimal weaning stress.

Abstract: Disclosed is a suckling system wherein suckling of calves can be automatically performed and weaning stress of newborn calves can be minimized. The suckling system for calves with minimal weaning stress, includes a suckling unit and a milk feed unit to feed milk to calves, and a control module to control the units, wherein the suckling unit comprises a weight scale, and the control module measures the weight of calves and controls a feed amount of the milk feed unit, based on the weight. The milk feed unit uniformly supplies milk set to the temperature of the mother's milk to calves, the height of the teat member is controllable to a level suitable for calves, and after feeding, the teat member and the milk feed unit are automatically cleaned.

Abstract: A step-down sucking method is provided for minimizing the weaning stress of newborn calves. The method features feeding newborn calves with a sufficient amount of milk corresponding to 15-25% of body weight for 3˜5 weeks following birth, and then with a stepwise decreased amount of milk corresponding finally to 8-15% of body weight for 3-7 days, with the differential amount replaced with water and then with gradually decreased amounts of milk from 8-15% to zero % of the body weight and with solid feedstuffs for a period from 5 weeks to 6-8 weeks after birth. In the method, suckling with a large amount of milk (amounting to 15-25% of body weight) is conducted for 25-35 days after birth, followed by suckling with a decreased amount of milk (amounting to 8-15% of body weight) for 10-20 days, thereby inducing the calves to maximally take solid feedstuff with minimal weaning stress.