Assignment on:

Selection of dairy heifer

Presented by:
Nabin Neupane
M.V.Sc.An.Sc
Department of Animal
breeding and Biotechnology
 INTRODUCTION
- Proper selection first and most important
practice of dairy herd.
- Dairy heifers provide genetic building
blocks for future generations
- Records are the basis of selection and hence
proper identification of all the farm animals
and systemic record keeping are essential.
CRITERIA OF SELECTION
1. Potential of the sire and milk production of the dam.
o most important economic traits to be considered while
selecting
o milk production from dam
o bulls with strong maternal traits
2. Quality and character of heifer
o Possess good dairy conformation like well-developed
udder, prominent milk vein, squarely placed teats and ease
in milking.
3. Breeding at early age
o must be ready to breed at 15 months of age (65 per cent
of mature weight).
o result in one more calf in her lifetime compared to a first
breeding at 2 years of age.
o Conceive early in the breeding season
o They must rebreed and continue to produce a calf every
year.
4. Weaning time and weight
o Select heifers at weaning that are bigger
o selecting the biggest heifers at weaning will identify the
heifers born earlier in the breeding season.
o Bigger heifers also grew faster before weaning which is
probably a combination of higher milk production from
the dam and better genetics for growth-both of which are
positive contributions to the next generation of females
in the herd.
5. Docility
o Docility is another factor to be considered for selection.
In addition to the safety and ease of handling over their
lifetime, docility (or lack of it) is partially a learned
experience.
Thank you for listening