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. Work carried out at Greenmount Campus has suggested that the total cost incurred in rearing a heifer replacement to calve down at two years of age is approximately £770 per animal. However the cost of rearing heifer replacements varies significantly depending on the management system employed. Experimental work carried out within the United Kingdom and North America has shown that the management system adopted during the rearing period can alter first lactation yields by up to 1,000 KG of milk, representing a substantial source of revenue (approximately £170 per heifer) to the dairy farmer.

Dairy heifer replacements should no longer be the forgotten enterprise on today's dairy farm. They represent the best genetics on the farm and are a significant financial investment to be reared from birth through to calving down and entering the herd. This booklet deals with the management skills required to rear and manage dairy heifer replacements.

Rearing dairy heifers requires the development of many skills