Dairy Heifers - The Future of Sustainable Dairy Farms
Why heifers’ nutrition management is so important in dairy farming? The answer is very simple and clear. The future of successful and sustainable dairy farms depends on well- grown dairy heifers that play a critical role in farm profit and sustainability. Efficient growth and care of replacement dairy heifers is very essential as it will improve the performance of the dairy herd for coming years. The management of replacement heifers will determine their milk production, reproductive performance and how long they remain in the herd as lactating cow. The targeted goal of replacement heifer management is to raise heifers that will have their first calf as early as possible with adequate body condition score and without detrimental effects on reproduction, provide high milk production and calve every 365 days.
When a heifer should enter to your milking herd? A heifer should enter to your milking herd at about 24 months of age that will be your major source of income in future. Heifers calving first at the age of two years will have a better chance to produce an extra calf compared with heifers calved at the age of three years, in their lifetime, without adversely affecting mature size, milk production and reproduction system. Targeted live weight is 350-400 kg (Friesian) to achieve puberty by 12 to 15 months and 550-600 after calving by 21-24 months.
How to achieve targeted goals, in time efficiently? It is really important to know that heifer development program start from right after birth. Nutrition plays a vital role to achieve puberty by 12 to 14 months or younger and conception along with other housing and environmental factors. Proper selection and development of feeding plans in accordance with heifers’ age and nutrition requirements are imperative for efficient and optimum production. The type and quality of nutrition that heifers receive from birth to first calving has a great impact on their lifetime performance.
Colostrum is the first complete feed for newly born calf. Colostrum contains immunoglobulins, minerals, fat and carbohydrate that support metabolism, growth and stimulate immune system. Calves with adequate colostrum feeding grow better and have less mortality rate and health issues compared to calves with less or zero colostrum feeding. After colostrum feeding, Whole milk is the primary feed for calves that contains high levels of fat and protein. Feeding quality calf milk replacers is also a convenient way to feed pre-ruminant calves. Vitamins and trace Minerals deficiency of whole milk can be accomplished by feeding high quality Dasan-20 calf starter in addition to whole milk feeding. It is important to understand that if a calf does not grow well in the first 100 days, it will not be able to become a cow that has better milk production.
It is common to lose weight shortly after weaning in concentration of the dietary and environmental stress. During this period, it is extremely important that calves properly vaccinated, handled to reduce stress. The success of attaining targeted weight gain for heifers highly depends upon a proper nutritional plan that balances rations around forage quality otherwise subsequently, heifer performance may suffer, and costs may be higher than necessary. High quality hay or Dasan silage with high quality concentrate Dasan Feed can be used successfully and economically. Heifers need rapid growth, not fattened, so high-quality fodder should be fed. Taking weights regularly helps in determining if heifers are gaining the right growth rate as per recommendations
Forage is beneficial to promote the growth of the rumen muscular layer and maintain the health of rumen epithelium. Quality forages provide protein and carbohydrates that are a good source of energy and give the filing effect to the stomach. Protein is required for growth, body structure development and helps to develop immunity.
Water is a source of life and providing heifers’ adequate water supply is very important to maintain their body temperature and supports to maintain their body fully functional and appropriate feed digestion. Free-choice water helps to consume more feed. Fresh, clean water free of any contamination is important.
Dasan Feeds as leading cattle feed producer developed products “20 Calf Starter” and “21 Dairy Heifer” to fulfill nutrition requirements of heifers from first week till calving their first calf. Dasan highly concentrate on the quality of raw material used for cattle feed. That is why Pakistan best cattle feed/ Pakistan’s best dairy feeds, Dasan feeds are palatable, stimulate rumen functions, specifically support extend and maintain the adequate growth of heifers through breeding to pre-fresh. Consequently, they can more easily transition into the lactating herd.
Note: De-worm the heifers at least twice per year to reduce internal parasites, resulting in improved feed efficiency and monitor body weight on a regular basis to make sure your feeding program is on target.