Dairy

Heifer Feeding Management

Hello my name is Gabriella Varga and I am professor of Animal

Science at Penn State University. In this video we will be discussing
the importance of heifer nutrition and management from weaning
to breeding. We will discuss critical phases of growth for the dairy
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.
A number of factors go into meeting these goals the first of which
of is that heifers must get off to a good start as calves. That means
good colostrum management and disease control. We mentioned
in our previous video that rumen development is critical so calves
must be provided a good palatable calf starter and have access to
fresh water. Calves should be weaned after they have consumed
two pounds (0.91 kg) of grain/day for three consecutive days
Holstein heifers should grow 1.7 to 1.9 lb per day before puberty
and should reach 85% to 90% of mature body weight (BW) by
calving or a minimum of 1250 lbs (570 kg) to achieve optimal first-
lactation milk production Show slide #5A and slide #3. Age at first
calving should be between 22 to 24 months of age to minimize
heifer raising costs and to maximize their milk production during
the first lactation.
However, it is important to emphasize that heifers need to grow in
height not just weight because height is correlated with their frame
size and can impact risks for calving difficulties. Therefore, heifers
should reach a height at the withers between 51-55 inches prior to
calving.
After weaning, heifers should be grouped by weight not by age.
During this time, it is important to monitor body weights, heights
and body condition scores. Weights obtained with a body weight
tape around the heart girth are reasonably accurate.
A body condition score of 3.0 on a 5 point scale is ideal. Heifers at
this age and size should not have a lot of extra flesh around the
rump area. As indicated earlier a good rate of growth from weaning
to breeding is over 2 pounds (0.91 kg) /day for the Holstein or
similarly sized breeds.

Let’s go look at some opportunities on the farm that will help make
the transition better for the heifer after weaning. The following
practices can help reduce the stress placed on these heifers during
and after the weaning period.
A small-group housing facility for three to five calves should be
used for at least a month immediately after the post weaning
period. This post weaning area should be similar in housing type
and environment compared to the grow-out facility, and located in
a similar area. This allows for regular feeding and observation of
the 2-to-3- month-old group while feeding the younger calves.
Large super hutches located adjacent to a calf hutch area, or an
open front shed with an outside yard adjacent to the calf hutch
area, can be used in conjunction with small hutches.
Buildings with inside individual pens should also provide for a group
pen at least 12’ x 12’ (3.6m X 3.6m) for three to five calves. Pens
should have a continuous supply of frost-free water. At least 18
inches (45 cm) of bunk space should be provided for each calf, with
stanchions or dividers to define the eating positions.
When weaning time arrives and the liquid feed portion of the
young calves’ diet is reduced, it is necessary to provide them a free
choice grain mixture and an ample supply of high quality forage. To
reduce the stress associated with weaning, calf starter is generally
fed for 2-3 weeks after weaning.
After weaning when starter intake reaches 5-6 lbs/d (2.3 to 2.7 kg)
begin feeding a good quality forage. Feed free-choice high-quality
second or third cutting mixed hay that is fine-stemmed and mold-
free. This can be a good quality grass or alfalfa or a mixture.
Silage and pasture have generally not been recommended for
calves less than 400 pounds (182 kg) because it has been thought
that the calf cannot consume enough dry matter in the form of wet
forage. High quality forages can provide a significant amount of the
energy needed by the young heifer. Grasses containing 14-16% CP
and no more than 60% NDF can make up a significant part of the
heifer’s diet prebreeding so long as the NDF is fairly digestible. Corn
silage can also make up a portion of the heifer’s diet. The amount
of grain fed will depend upon the age of the animal and forage
quality.
Total mixed rations can be fed to heifers after 2 months of age.
Feeding complete rations encourages heifers to consume several
small meals during the day and leads to better feed digestion and
utilization. The advantages of total mixed rations for these heifers
are that all the needed ingredients are in the desired proportions,
time and labor are reduced, and competition among animals is
minimized.
The young heifer from weaning to 6 months of age is not capable of
consuming and fermenting large quantities of feed and forage and
therefore, does not produce large amounts of rumen microbial
protein.
Therefore, at that age, protein is the nutrient that limits
growth. Heifers require a specific amount of protein daily, and for
heifers total protein has been shown to be equally as important as
the various protein fractions. Balance primarily for crude and
soluble protein
• 14 to 15% CP for pre-pubertal heifers based on 2.15% BW
DMI/d.
• 13 to 14% CP for post pubertal heifers based on 1.65% BW
DMI/d.
Maintain at least 30 to 35% soluble CP in the rations at all times.
Rumen undegradable CP levels in excess of 25 to 30% are not
required; use feed sources based on price and availability and not
feeds specifically designed for high bypass protein.
Young heifers with a small rumen, will respond with lean tissue
growth when they are fed a blend of high-quality protein sources.
Protein sources could be a blend of processed soybeans, canola,
corn proteins and animal proteins. It should be noted that large
amounts of high protein grasses or legumes containing a lot of
soluble protein and rumen degradable protein are not
recommended.
If such forages make up a large portion of the diets, the heifer will
not utilize all of this protein and it will be wasted and growth rates
will not be optimal.