Heifer Rearing

management guide

Contents

Introduction

pg 2

Calf rearing

pg 3

Heifer rearing background facts

pg 4

Heifer targets

pg 5

Feed plans / TMR Rations

pg 6 - 7

The need for minerals

pg 8

Top tips for grassland management

pg 9 - 10

Parasitic control guide

pg 11

Benefits of weighing cattle

pg 12

Housing heifers

pg 13 - 14

Introduction
Dairy heifer replacement breeding is
an important area in any dairy farm
enterprise, but it is often neglected
as other more pressing issues take
priority on the farm. This means that
dairy heifers do not grow at the
required rate to hit the expected
targets at bulling and calving. The
end result is that heifers calve in
too old and without the required
development to ensure they have
long and productive lives in the herd.
The hidden cost of this to the dairy
enterprise is approximately 3.5ppl
across the productive life of the
animal.
With a little effort, by producing a
heifer rearing plan, then monitoring
growth performance against set
targets and taking corrective
measures where necessary, this can
reduce the cost by 1.5ppl or 15,000
on a 1 million litre production unit. This
doesnt have to be rocket science
to achieve but it will have dramatic
effects on the future profitability of
the enterprise.

In this guide we will outline the best

plan from new born calf through to
calving down for the first time with
key milestones and targets along
the way. There will also be other
management advice including
grassland, animal health and housing
along with the important feed plans.
Heifers are the future of the dairy
herd and deserve to have a specialist
rearing programme that incorporates
all the latest research and
management advice. Undoubtedly,
they will repay the investment
through higher milk production and a
longer productive life.

Calf rearing
1. At calving and within the early
hours of life, ensure good hygiene
practices to reduce the risk of
transmission of infection.
2. Ensure navels are dressed properly
using a strong iodine solution or other
veterinary recommended treatment.
This should be done at birth or as soon
after as possible.
3. Ensure calves receive colostrum
within the first 3-6 hours of life. A
typical Holstein Friesian calf requires
3.5 to 4 litres. The old rule of 3 pints in
3 hours, 6 pints in 6 hours is as good
today as it has always been. There
are no shortcuts or magic potions.
4. Provide calves with a well-bedded
laying area on a free draining
surface, in a draught free but well
ventilated building.
5. When commencing feeding of
milk replacers, ensure correct mixing
and feeding temperatures, using the
mixing concentrations on the bag.
Start by feeding small amounts and
gradually increase the volume fed.
Little and often is more natural.

6. Provide calves with fresh water

and concentrate on a daily basis,
feeding to appetite to encourage
high intakes at weaning. Clean straw
should be readily available to provide
roughage.
7. Check calves regularly and act
on any signs of ill health by observing
the calf more closely and checking
temperature. If required, notify vet or
treat according to recommendations
previously agreed with veterinary
surgeon.
8. Wean only healthy calves. As a
guide, they should be observed
to be eating a minimum of 1 kg of
concentrate per day over a 3-4
day period prior to commencing
weaning. Wean gradually at around
8 weeks of age, ensuring calves
continue to consume concentrates.
9. Continue to feed ad-lib
concentrates, roughage and water
up to approximately 12 weeks of age.
10. Plan rearing diet with your feed
specialist to identify the best system
and feeding regime. For further
information see page 6.

Heifer rearing background facts

Average total cost of heifer to point of calving - 1,160
This represents a cost of 3ppl on all milk produced by the herd
(see table below)
22% of heifer calves born as replacements never enter the herd
Average age at calving is 2 years 5 months
18% of first calving heifers fail to reach the second lactation

2 years

2 years
5 months
(NI avg)

2 years
10 months

600

850

1,100

20,000 litres

3.0

4.3

5.5

25,000 litres (Est. NI average)

2.4

3.4

4.4

30,000 litres

2.0

2.8

3.7

Calving age
Replacements costs
(heifer costs - cull cow)
Lifetime yield

Heifer targets
Targets must be set for the individual farm. They should consider previous
performance and must be simple. The key points are as follows:
Target DLWG from birth to calving is 0.8kg/day
Grow frame not fat to puberty
Serve at 15 months service weight 55-60% of mature cow weight
Maintain frame not fat growth in calf
Calve in at 24 months calving weight 90% of mature cow weight

Age
(Months)

Wither height
(cm)

Weight
(kg)

DLWG
(kg)

90

100

0.8

102

170

0.8

12

121

300

0.8

15

125

370

0.86

21

135

500

0.7

24

138

570

0.7

% mature
weight
30
55-60
90

Feed plans
Once the targets have been set a feed plan can be made to achieve the targets.
A number of different options are outlined below. They are based on recent
practical trial work on farm in Northern Ireland in conjunction with the research
institute at Hillsborough (AFBI). Forage analysis and the use of the Mole Valley
Feed Solutions heifer rationing programme enable individual farm plans to be
constructed.
Age
(months)

12

15

18

21

24

Height (cm)

90

102

114

121

125

132

135

138

Wieght (kg)

100

170

240

300

370

430

500

570

Autumn born
Aug-Nov

Silage + 2kg
Grass + 1kg
Silage + 2kg
Lifetime Heifer Lifetime Heifer Lifetime Heifer
Rearer
Rearer
Rearer

Winter born
Dec-Feb

Silage + 2kg
Grass + 1.5kg
Lifetime Heifer Lifetime Heifer
Rearer
Rearer

Housed
based
system straw

Ad-lib
straw
+ 3kg
Lifetime
Rearer

Housed
based
system silage

Ad-lib
straw + 4kg
Lifetime
Rearer

Ad-lib
straw
+ 5kg
Lifetime
Rearer

Silage + 2kg Lifetime Rearer

Grass + 1.5kg
Liftime Heifer
Rearer

Grass only
Silage + 2kg
Lifetime Heifer
Rearer

Grass + 2kg Lifetime Heifer

Rearer

Grass + 2kg Lifetime Heifer

Rearer

Feed plans
There are some farmers who are looking to feed heifers with a total TMR ration
and have one ration for all sizes of heifers. This is possible to do by formulating the
diet to the average middle size of heifer (around 300kg) and then feed for fewer
animals to the smaller ones and more for the larger animals. However, always keep
the ration ingredients in proportion. Around this basic principle there may still need
to be additional concentrate fed to younger 3-6 month heifers and for heifers at
bulling to ensure performance targets are met.
All TMR diets can be specifically formulated using the Mole Valley Feed
Solutions heifer rationing programme and the latest straights or blends and
mineral prices. Contact your local feed sales specialist for assistance.

TMR Rations
Heifer TMR
Grass silage
Maize silage
Straw
Heifer blend
Nutri-LINK Cattle IF

Nutrients
680kg
210kg
21kg
85kg
4kg

ME (MJ/kgDM)
CP (%DM)
Starch (%DM)

10.6
13.8
10.2

The need for minerals

Grassland management systems have
changed over recent years. Increased
levels of slurry and manure applied
to pasture have altered the mineral
balance in forages.
Accurate mineral nutrition has
become increasingly important
with improvements in genetics and
a greater dependence on forages
and straights. New advances in
ruminant mineral nutrition have revised
some traditional thinking on animal
requirements. MVF forage mineral
profile analysis helps to identify the
specific situation on a farm. Detailed
ration programmes then enable the
appropriate mineral supplement to
be formulated in order to optimise
performance. This attention to detail
is appropriate across a range of dairy
production systems.

Correct mineral supplementation

has been shown to help improve
liveweight gains and forage
utilisation.
As the skeletal frame of the animal
develops, critical nutrients such as
calcium assist in the development
of a strong skeleton.
Vitamins are required to help
boost immunity status.
Due to the inability of a ruminant
to store some of these critical
nutrients, a daily supply is required
in order to meet optimum
performance.
Modern high genetic livestock
have a greater need for optimum
nutrition.

Heifer Mineral Requirements and Supply

Supply as % of Requirement

300
250
200
150
100
50
0

Ca

Mg

Fe

Cu

Mn

Co

Zn

Se

400kg animal eating 7kg DM grass silage and 2kg cereal/protein blend

Top tips for

grassland management
1. Soil testing

3. Sward assessment

A healthy, high productive sward

depends on a healthy soil. A
complete soil test, looking at pH,
phosphate and potash should be
carried out on each field on a 4 yearly
cycle.

After assessing the soil it makes sense

to assess the sward. If there is less than
50% perennial ryegrass in the sward, a
total new reseed may be the option.
The assessment may show some fields
could be improved by overseeding or
are in need of weed control.

2. Lime and fertiliser

The average pH of UK grassland is
approximately 5.5. Lifting the pH to 6.0
will increase nutrient availability from
the soil, slurry and bagged fertilisers by
approximately 25%. The higher lime
level will also increase palatability and
clover content in the sward. Careful
use of slurry and bagged fertilisers
is essential. 35 F.A.C.T.S. qualified
advisers are available from Mole
Valley Forage Services to help dairy
farmers produce quality grass for their
individual systems.

4. Reseeding programme
Where the farm is growing arable
crops, a rotation involving regularly
reseeding grass is relatively easy.
However, on most dairy units the grass
may be more permanent. For help,
please ask for a Mole Valley Farmers
Premier Leys Catalogue. This booklet
includes sections on the 10 benefits
of reseeding and a 10 point plan for
establishing a new ley.

5. Clover establishment
Up to 100 units / acre of nitrogen
can be fixed by a sward with 20%
to 30% clover composition. Varieties
are categorised by leaf size. Medium
leafed varieties are most suited for
dairy grazing, whilst large leaf varieties
for silage management.

6. Overseeding
Old pasture and leys that have
become thin in the bottom can be
rejuvenated by either broadcasting
seed on to them or slot seeding.

7. Weed control in grassland

There are two main areas of weed
control.
a) In the establishment phase of a
new ley. Chickweed, seedling docks
and thistles can drastically reduce
the percentage of sown species
which establish and will usually require
chemical treatment.
b) In established grassland, docks,
thistles, dandelions, buttercups
and plaintain can make up a high
percentage of a sward.
Mole Valley Farmers have B.A.S.I.S.
qualified agronomists who can advise
on all aspects of reseeding and weed
control.

8. Grazing management
Once a farmer has established the
soil nutrition and sward composition
is good, grazing management is the
key to realising the potential of the
grass. The skill is to ensure a plentiful
supply of grass for the entire grazing
system of equal nutritional quality and

not allowing surplus grass to go under

utilised. Grass should be grazed at
approximately 75 D-value when the
grass is about 4 inches (10cm) high.
Long, stemmy grass will reduce intakes
and result in a rapid drop in feed
value.

9. Silage management
A plan at the start of the year is key
to ensuring that enough silage of
the right feed value is produced. A
67 to 72 D-value silage with an ME
of 10.8 to 11.5 should be the aim.
If grazing land produces too much
grass at periods of rapid growth in
favourable seasons then surplus grass
should be taken as big-bale silage to
avoid the down sides of under utilised
grazed grass. A proven additive on
silage grass for heifer production
should be considered. Both the MVF
and Ecosyl range of silage additives
have scientific trials demonstrating a
financial benefit over untreated silage.

10. The limitations of grass correct supplementation

The heifer rearer must be aware of the
limitations of grass to reach the desired
levels of animal performance. Mole
Valley Feed Solutions have specialist
feed and mineral nutritionists who
can offer advice on supplementation
during the grazing and housed
periods.

10

Parasitic control guide

Worms and fluke in cattle
Basic tips:

Seek expert advice

Know the weight of the animals
Calibrate worming equipment
Plan a control programme that fits
your system
Avoid grazing with youngstock
where known worm problems exist
Avoid wet pastures where history of
fluke in all ages of cattle
History of farm is critical to help
design an effective worm
programme

Cattle worms
Cattle under 2 years most
susceptible
Round worms can cause parasitic
gastroenteritis (PGE)
Lungworms cause husk often from
late summer
Cattle develop natural immunity
from two years where exposure to
worms has occurred
Good lungworm control requires use
of vaccination and pasture control
Use correct wormers at housing to kill
inhibited worms (not all do!)

11

Fluke
Growing problem in many areas
There are 3 main ages of fluke - early
immature, immature and adult
Know what your flukicide kills
Later treatments may be required to
kill missed fluke
Broadest treatments are not often
the simplest

Ectoparasites
Lice cause hide damage and
problem in housed cattle
Flies spread diseases e.g. New Forest
eye, summer mastitis
Various treatments available
For further information and advice,
please contact your local branch
where a fully qualified member of
staff can advise on best practice
and recommend the most economic
and most effective products for your
business.

Benefits of weighing heifers

Weighing can be done with weigh
cells under a cattle crush, or by
simple weigh band measurement.
Both give good levels of accuracy.
Provides information on growth
rates and performance to target
Allows feeding plans to be
adjusted to keep growth
performance on target
Ensures heifers are put to bull at the
correct size (not just age)
Weighing enables correct dosing
with anthelmintics for best effect
Weighing gives more control of the
whole heifer rearing programme
and provides valuable information
for changes to the rearing
programme in the future

Housing heifers
Housing
It is important to measure any
livestock building to ensure that floor
space and air volume are adequate
for the animals you intend to house.
Assessing your roof volume
= roof height x roof area x 0.5
Assessing your main building volume
= height x floor area
Assessing your floor area
= length x width of the building.
Understanding the volumes of air
in buildings is critical to meeting
welfare standards and assessing the
ventilation needs of the building.
Height is important in providing
adequate volumes of air. Ideally the
height of the eaves in buildings for
dairy heifers should be at least 4.5m.
This also ensures good access for
modern farm machinery.

13

Check that the ridge opening

is adequate for the width of the
building. Ensure the inlet opening
below the eaves is at least four times
more than the ridge space to ensure
a steady supply of fresh air.

Rules of Thumb
Air Spce
Calf up to 90kg = 10m3
Calf 90 -150kg = 13m3
Larger animals = 15m3
Check that heifers are grouped
according to size and are housed in
appropriate group sizes. Check that
there is adequate access to feed
and that any wastage through poor
trough or barrier design is minimised.

Check that lighting sufficient to

ensure all heifers can be inspected
day or night.
Check that bedding is adequate to
keep floors dry throughout the winter.

Ventilation
How well air flows through the buiding
is critical to protecting against
disease and respiratory disorders.
An open ridge will always be an
outlet for stale air. This is why it is
vitally important to have a generous
opening.
Testing can be conducted using
smoke pellets, which are inexpensive
and can be easily obtained.
Check how quickly smoke clears
from a building and whether there
are areas where smoke lingers. An
early muggy morning is best for
smoke testing. This is when the worst
conditions can be observed.

If smoke clears completely within 2-3

minutes and there are no corners
where it lingers, the building can be
considered fit for purpose as far as
ventilation is concerned.
Wherever and whenever smoke
lingers in a building it indicates
areas where the organisms causing
pneumonia and respiratory diseases
will also linger and spread from heifer
to heifer. The removal of roof ridges
will often remedy the problem.

Rules of thumb
Ventilation ridge opening
Calf up to 90kg = 5m2/100 animals
Larger animals = 8m2/100 animals

Contacts
Feed Line
Mineral Line

01278 444829
01278 420481

MVF Farm Services Centres

Bridgwater
Cullompton
Dorchester
Frome
Holsworthy
Liskeard
Newton Abbot
South Molton
St Columb
Yeovil

01278 424240
01884 836204
01305 753914
01373 852352
01409 259502
01579 340010
01626 837805
01769 575603
01637 881827
01935 848201

Mole Valley Feed Solutions Ltd

Head Office, Station Road, South Molton, North Devon EX36 3BH
Tel: 01769 573431 Fax: 01769 573821 Email: info@molevalleyfarmers.com

For more information, please visit www.molevalleyfarmers.com