The heifer rearing system
Background
The Dairy Heifer 2000 project at Greenmount Campus is managed in partnership with J. Bibby Agriculture. The project aims to demonstrate heifer rearing skills using the heifers born within the Campus dairy herds. The project commenced in September 1997 and is expected to run for five years.
The Dairy Heifer 2000 project at Greenmount Campus is managed in partnership with J. Bibby Agriculture. The project aims to demonstrate heifer rearing skills using the heifers born within the Campus dairy herds. The project commenced in September 1997 and is expected to run for five years.
Introduction
Dairy heifer replacements are an investment in the future. There are approximately 50,000 in-calf heifers on Northern Ireland dairy farms (Agricultural Census in Northern Ireland, Economics and Statistics Division). The management policy adopted during the rearing period has a major impact on the costs incurred and on subsequent heifer performance post calving.
Dairy heifer replacements are an investment in the future. There are approximately 50,000 in-calf heifers on Northern Ireland dairy farms (Agricultural Census in Northern Ireland, Economics and Statistics Division). The management policy adopted during the rearing period has a major impact on the costs incurred and on subsequent heifer performance post calving.
Costs of Rearing Dairy Heifers
Rearing dairy heifer replacements requires a significant financial investment. Often items that should be included, such as fixed costs, are not considered within the costings.
Rearing dairy heifer replacements requires a significant financial investment. Often items that should be included, such as fixed costs, are not considered within the costings.
Setting Targets
The target within any heifer rearing program is to produce well developed heifers, capable of expressing their full genetic potential, cost effectively. The targets set for rearing high genetic heifers at Greenmount Campus are to calf heifers at two years of age at a pre calving weight of 600 KG.
The target within any heifer rearing program is to produce well developed heifers, capable of expressing their full genetic potential, cost effectively. The targets set for rearing high genetic heifers at Greenmount Campus are to calf heifers at two years of age at a pre calving weight of 600 KG.
Calf Rearing
Calf rearing is an important job on the dairy farm. Remember the young calf is the future of your dairy herd. Calves that receive inadequate attention during the first few weeks of life
Calf rearing is an important job on the dairy farm. Remember the young calf is the future of your dairy herd. Calves that receive inadequate attention during the first few weeks of life
Grazing Management
Effective grassland management should form an integral part of any heifer rearing system. Improvements in grassland management will result in reductions in concentrate inputs and rearing costs.
Effective grassland management should form an integral part of any heifer rearing system. Improvements in grassland management will result in reductions in concentrate inputs and rearing costs.
Breeding Management
Heifers should be ready to breed as they approach 15 months of age so that they calve at 24 months. Research has shown that the weight of a heifer at service can have an effect on subsequent fertility
Heifers should be ready to breed as they approach 15 months of age so that they calve at 24 months. Research has shown that the weight of a heifer at service can have an effect on subsequent fertility
Pre-calving Management
Heifers should be examined two months before calving in terms of bodyweight and body condition score. Target condition score at calving is 3.0. Growth rates at this stage should be no more than 0.50 kKG per heifer per day.
Heifers should be examined two months before calving in terms of bodyweight and body condition score. Target condition score at calving is 3.0. Growth rates at this stage should be no more than 0.50 kKG per heifer per day.
Management through the first lactation
The policy adopted when managing a first lactation heifer can have a large impact on subsequent performance. First lactation heifers are adjusting to a new environment but are still expected to milk, grow and breed successfully.
The policy adopted when managing a first lactation heifer can have a large impact on subsequent performance. First lactation heifers are adjusting to a new environment but are still expected to milk, grow and breed successfully.
Monitoring heifer performance
Monitoring the performance of dairy heifer replacements is necessary to ensure that targets set at the start of the rearing program are being met. Recording weights, wither heights and body condition score allows you to benchmark the performance of your heifer replacements against known standards (Figure 4) and can indicate problem areas that require attention.
Monitoring the performance of dairy heifer replacements is necessary to ensure that targets set at the start of the rearing program are being met. Recording weights, wither heights and body condition score allows you to benchmark the performance of your heifer replacements against known standards (Figure 4) and can indicate problem areas that require attention.
Summary
Consider the following points when aiming to minimise heifer rearing costs and maximising the return from your investment.
Consider the following points when aiming to minimise heifer rearing costs and maximising the return from your investment.