This study evaluatedbody development and reproductive performance of beef cows whose calves weresubmitted to early weaning (76 days of age), or conventional weaning (148 daysof age). It was used 141 Braford cows that calved in 2004, 2005, and 2006 toevaluate weight at calving at 76 days, weight at calving at 148 days, weightat the beginning and end of the breeding season, variation of the average dailyweight, body condition, pregnancy rate, and calving interval. Dams of calvesweaned at 148 days of age showed daily weight gain higher body weight and betterbody condition at 148 days of age. The weights at the end of breeding seasonand average weight gain during the breeding season were higher in early weaningcows than in conventional cows. Pregnancy rate of early weaning cows (86.34%)was higher than those submitted to weaning at conventional age (55.45%). Pastureinterval was similar among early weaning cows and conventional weaning cows.The best benefit on reducing weaning age in pregnancy rate was in primiparouscows. There was significant interaction between weaning age and the year forcalving interval and milk production. The early weaning of calves carried outat 76 days of age allows cows to better weight recovery in the post-weaningand breeding periods, improving their body condition and consequently increasingpregnancy rate regarding to cows whose calves suckled until 148 days of age.
