HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gardner, R. W. Articles by Park, R. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gardner, R. W. Articles by Park, R. L.

Feeding and Management of Dairy Heifers for Optimal Lifetime Productivity

Department of Animal Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602

ABSTRACT

A total of 433 Holstein heifer calves were fed two different energy amounts from 6 wk of age to breeding weight to determine the effect of early nutrition and age at first calving on lifetime performance. A control group of 182 heifers was fed according to the Beltsville growth standard. A second group of 251 heifers was accelerated in growth by providing more energy during early development. Both groups of heifers were bred at a minimum weight of 340 kg. Average ages at first calving for control and accelerated heifers were 24.6 mo and 22.2 mo with corresponding 305-d first lactation unadjusted milk production values of 6985 and 6729 kg and unadjusted milk fat yields of 222 and 216 kg. Average 305-d milk production values through subsequent lactations for control and accelerated animals, were lactation 2, 7790, 7842 kg; lactation 3, 8200, 8330 kg; lactation 4, 9481, 9134 kg; lactation 5, 9865, 9588 kg; lactation 6, 9515, 10,108; lactation 7, 9661, 10,112. Average total milk yields over five lactations were 42,321 and 41,623 kg. Percentages of cows remaining in the herd after five lactations were 19 and 18 for control and accelerated animals. Reproductive problems, mastitis, and deaths accounted for 70% of cows leaving the herd and did not differ between treatment groups.

¹ Benson Agriculture and Food Institute, Brigham Young University.

² Zoology Department, Brigham Young University.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Svensson and J. Hultgren Associations Between Housing, Management, and Morbidity During Rearing and Subsequent First-Lactation Milk Production of Dairy Cows in Southwest Sweden J Dairy Sci, April 1, 2008; 91(4): 1510 - 1518. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]