Feeding And Management Of The Dairy Heifers: 6 Months To Calving

From 20 to 30 percent of the animals in a milking herd are replaced each year. Success in improving the herd depends upon whether the replacement heifers are managed so that they will meet their genetic potential to produce milk. Cost of maintaining heifers varies among farms, but a cost of $1 to $2 per day is common. Scheduling first-calf heifers to calve 2 months earlier saves $60 in feed costs. In addition, the heifer will also begin generating income earlier from the milk produced. Getting the heifer milking 2 months earlier may be worth $200 to $300 in additional income if she is in proper condition at calving. The normal recommendation is to breed heifers at 15 months so they will calve at 24 months. Although this is a good goal, adequate skeletal size and weight of heifers at breeding and calving is more important than age. Table 1 lists the approximate weights and heights of large (Holsteins, Brown Swiss) and small (Ayrshire, Jersey Guernseys) breeds at different ages.