Dairy

Heifer Feeding Management

Heifers should be supplemented for vitamins and minerals

according to their needs based on the National Research
Committee requirements. Examples of diets for heifers from
weaning to post breeding age are provided in the supplemental
reading for this video. From six months to breeding forages usually
make up the majority of the ration. Grain is supplemented to
balance the ration for the desired amount of daily gain. Corn silage
should be limited to no more than 50% of forage intake. Excess
energy during this period can hinder mammary development and
ultimately the potential for decreased milk production. From
breeding to calving forage should be maximized in the ration
feeding only enough concentrates to meet the animal’s
requirements. Heifers should be started on the dry cow diet
approximately 60 days prior to freshening. Specific information on
feeding heifers prior to calving is provided in the second dry cow
video.
The energy requirement of the heifer will be influenced by the size,
growth rate, and environment of the heifer. There are two feeding
strategies to meet the energy requirements of growing dairy
heifers.
First, diets can be formulated at variable energy densities and fed
ad-libitum to allow the heifer to select her energy consumption.
In the second strategy, heifers’ diets can be formulated at a fixed
(generally higher) energy content and precision-fed to specifically
meet the heifers’ energy requirement. Regardless of feeding
strategy, heifers should be fed energy to allow 1.75 to 2.00 pounds
of average daily gain or approximately 130 kcal of metabolizable
energy per pound of metabolic body weight (BW0.75).

During the time around puberty, between 550 and 650 pounds
(250-295 kg) for large breeds, it is critical that heifers are not over
fed energy. The growth rate of the mammary system before
puberty is much faster than the growth rate of the body and the
size of the mammary gland and the ducts in the gland increase in
size at this time. Therefore excessive energy intake during the pre-
pubertal period can have a negative effect on the mammary system
and decreased subsequent milk production.

For large-breed heifers, the optimum calving age is 22 to 24
months. Smaller breeds that mature faster, such as Jerseys,
Ayrshires and Guernseys, can successfully calve at 22 to 23 months
of age. Production data research suggests calving heifers at 23 to
24 months of age is optimal for first lactation milk yields. Dairy
replacement heifers do have the potential to calve at 19 to
21months of age, which can lower rearing costs. However, heifers
calving at young ages may experience calving difficulties, metabolic
disorders, and inconsistent lactation performance, which can limit
lifetime profit. Calving dairy heifers at ages younger than 22 to 24
months is possible but requires intensive management programs.
Hitting target body weights at calving is important as it helps
reduce calving difficulties and supports high levels of feed intake
and milk production after calving. For Holsteins, a post-calving
weight of 1,250 (570 kg) pounds is ideal. The table below shows
target body weights for various breeds at different stages at first
calving.
In conclusion: In this video we discussed the critical phases of
growth for the heifer, the importance of good facilities, and how
nutrition plays an important role in getting a healthy well grown
heifer ready to be bred and prepared to have her first calf.