How big should replacement heifers be at 15 months?
• Replacement heifers are grown out to at least 300 kg LW or 60% of mature cow liveweight by 15 months. • There is feed available for calving/lactation and re-mating (for 2nd calving). The greatest risk is failing to reach re-mating targets through poor nutrition between the first calving and re-mating.
How old are dairy heifers when they first calving?
Most of the data was collected from herds in which the average age at first calving was slightly greater than 24 months. As a result, the heifers probably were smaller for any given age than those found on today’s well-managed dairy farms that calve heifers at 22 to 24 months of age.
How old should a Guernsey heifer be at first calving?
Heifers in this survey had an average age at first calving of 27.0 ± 1.7 months. Recommended ranges represent the 50th to 67th percentile. Percentiles describe the percentage of observations that fall below that level. Recommended range of body weight and withers height for Guernsey heifers.
What’s the best growth range for a heifer?
For all other breeds, the recommended growth ranges shown are between the average and the top 67th percentile of the population. To achieve early calving (24 months or less) and high production potential, individual heifers should fall near the top of or slightly above the range shown.
Most of the data was collected from herds in which the average age at first calving was slightly greater than 24 months. As a result, the heifers probably were smaller for any given age than those found on today’s well-managed dairy farms that calve heifers at 22 to 24 months of age.
How tall should a heifer be at 24 months?
To achieve early calving (24 months or less) and high production potential, individual heifers should fall near the top of or slightly above the range shown. Body weight (pounds) and withers height (inches) of U.S. Holstein heifers as measured in the National Dairy Heifer Evaluation Project (1991-92).
When to put a two year old heifer into production?
When returns from beef cattle are good, it is worth bringing heifers into production as early as possible. There may be less incentive to calve heifers as two-year-olds if seasonal conditions are poor, as extra feed costs may not be offset by the extra return. Even in poorer seasons, the value of quickened genetic progress must be considered.
What should I Feed my 2 month old heifer?
Ł Feed a cottonseed hull-based TMR to 2- to 6-month-old heifers. Ł Use high quality grazed forage when available. Ł Supplement grazing heifers™ diets with silage, hay, grain, or a cottonseed hull- based TMR when needed.