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A Study of the Factors Affecting the Growth of Dairy Heifers¹

Department of Dairy Husbandry, New Jersey Agricultural College, New Brunswick, New Jersey

ABSTRACT

The many recent discoveries in the field of nutrition have necessitated a change in the methods of attacking nutritional problems. While for many years the chemical analysis of a feed was taken as the true index of its usefulness in a ration, we now know that feeds containing the same amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fat may differ widely in their physiological effect on the animal. Hart, McCollum, Steenbock, and Humphrey (1, 2) in an early study proved that growth and reproduction are seriously affected by limiting the ration of dairy heifers to the product of a single cereal plant. The heifers fed on the corn plant grew well, matured and showed early oestrus, and were physically strong in every respect. Those receiving the wheat ration grew at a fair rate until they reached 1000 pounds in weight, when growth ceased. They showed lack of vigor and evidence of physical weakness; even blindness finally resulted.

¹ Paper No. 150 of the Journal Series, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Dairy Husbandry.