Calf and Heifer Rearing
Rearing dairy heifers is the second largest cost on a dairy farm behind feed costs. Therefore, it is important to minimise losses and achieve good growth rates and health status to achieve an age at first calving of 22-24 months. This is considered to be the economic optimum for lifetime milk production, future fertility and recouping rearing costs. Getting calves off to the best start in life relies on providing sufficient quality colostrum as soon as possibly after birth, with good nutrition and management to minimising disease risks. The aim is to optimise growth rates so that heifers are big enough for breeding at 13-15 months of age. The following resources provide information on several aspects of calf management and heifer rearing to help achieve calving at two years.
Click on the links below to find out more:
Ventilation in Calf Housing through Summer
Providing a Comfortable Thermal Environment for Calves
The Benefits of Milk Transition for Calves
Reducing Calving Difficulty - Pelvic Scoring Heifers Case Study
Rumen Drinking in Calves
Reducing Stress in Cows at Calving
Controlling Cryptosporidia in Dairy Calves
One born every minute – a practical calving guide
Calf scour practical guide
Are your calves prepared for winter?
Benefits of colostrum pasteurisation
Are your calves getting too much of a good thing?
Keeping calves productive and health in cold conditions
Optimising fertility in dairy heifers
Maximising calf survival
Looking after young heifers at grass
Dairy calf nutrition (Stranraer) event summary
Ensuring All Calves Get the Best Start: Dystocia’s Effect on Early Beef & Dairy Calf Nutrition – event summary
Summering youngstock on rented grass
TN681 Nutritional management of artificially reared calves.
Read more:
https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2017/teagasc-calf-rearing-manual.php
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