In simple terms ... well-reared and grown heifers that reach critical targets as youngsters are healthy, highly fertile, conceive quickly, calve just as quickly, compete and produce well in their first lactation and generally stick around long enough to repay the investment you've made in them several times over.
So what are some of these critical targets?
Heifers should attain:
- 85-90% of mature liveweight (LW) by first calving (preferably at 22 months)
- Body condition score (BCS) 5.5 at calving
- 60% of mature LW by 15 months
- 30% of mature LW by 6 months
What are some key indicators of heifer rearing success?
- < 5% empty as yearlings from limited (<8 weeks) mating period
- > 75% calved by week 3; > 92% calved by week 6
- > 90% submitted in first 21 days of mating season after first calving
- Produce > 85% of herd average milk solids (MS) in first lactation
- > 70% survive into 4th lactation
Other measures such as mortality rate to weaning, percentage 2yo's CIDR'd, 2yo six-week in-calf rate and 2yo empty rate reinforce the story, for better or worse. All are measurable; all feed down strongly to the business' bottom line.
What are some of the economic drivers for growing great heifers?
- Improved six-week in-calf rate of first calvers
- Improved first calver empty rate
- Increased first lactation MS yield - with carry-over effects to subsequent lactations
- Decreased replacement rate
The benefits of closing a 10% heifer LW gap at calving (e.g. 80% vs 90% mature LW) using long-term average payout price and replacement costs is of the order $85 per heifer. There are also ongoing annual benefits to herd performance of consistently closing this gap from year to year.
The need for fewer replacements follows greater longevity of heifers in the herd. Potential cost savings are:
Total rearing cost (birth to 2yo) x number not now reared
You make a serious financial commitment to rearing replacements - How do you maximize return on capital invested?
The cornerstones of successful heifer-rearing are not new:
1. Animal husbandry, especially in the neonatal and pre-weaning phases
2. Provide adequate amounts of high-quality feed, consistently
3. Manage animal health and control/prevent disease
4. Monitor where you are at relative to targets and respond as required
Whether it be for economic reasons or merely for a sense of pride and purpose in knowing that your heifers are given an opportunity to express their genetic potential, successful heifer-rearing should be seen as part of the process of continuous improvement in farm productivity.
To get started on this journey:
- Work out where you are/ where you've been - MEASURE
- If not up to the mark, decide and commit to doing it differently
- Develop a plan of attack - PREPARE
- DO - what needs doing, when it needs to be done
- Monitor and REVIEW progress
How can we help?
Totally Vets has developed a total heifer-rearing action and support package that includes:
- Estimation of mature LW of your heifers - either from LW breeding values (BV) or by weighing 6-8 year old cows
- Comprehensive weigh service - both heifers and cows
- Management, feeding and husbandry advice
- Specific disease control advice
- Diagnostics
- Tailored mating strategies
- Reporting
We are keen to be involved at any or all of the ‘measure, plan, do, review' stages.
Talk to your Totally Vets veterinarian today about growing great heifers.