Rearing Heifers Farming Note

Heifers are the future of your herd and time spent ensuring they reach targets effectively and efficiently will pay dividends when they enter the herd. A typical 150 cow herd, rearing its own replacements to calve at 2 years, will have around £30,000 tied up in rearing heifers. Kingshay Dairy Manager figures show that 16% fail to survive into their second lactation.

This Farming Note covers:

• Target aims for your youngstock
• Optimal diet choice
• Calving weights
• Rationing rules
• Growth rates at grass

Issued April 2009.

About Kingshay Farming Notes

Since 1991 Kingshay has been publishing Farming Notes on issues critical to the success of a modern dairy farm business. These briefings provide dairy farmers, large animal vets, farm consultants and other interested parties with the most important and timely information in a concise two-page format. The information contained in our Farming Notes is written and updated by our experts to ensure accuracy and save you time.

A selection of Farming Notes are available to buy individually from our online shop. To gain access to all our Farming Notes become a Kingshay member.