HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1982-04-07, Page 3314 h The Fatales., Week at Apra 'i, 1982
Feed holstein heijrswe1i to breed at 15months
A recent. Penn State study
concluded fromD.HI.A. re-
cords that there wasno
increase in milk or fat prod-
uction , for Holstein heifers'
calving, beyond 27 months.
There was, however, a re-
duction among heifers calx-
ing at less than 23 months.
This data suggests .that we
need to continue to empha-
size that heifers can, .and
should,be bred to calve
t' of Int,
(lbs.)
around 24 months of age.
concludes Dennis' McKnight,
Head of the Livestock Section,
at Centralia College of Agri-
cultural Technology. Delayed
calving only increases rear-
ing costs without a corres-
ponding increase in first
lactation production.
Some; dairymen are reluct-
ant to breed heifers at . 15
months =- the recommended
time -- so they calve at. 2
years says Mr McKnight.
The 15 -month figure is the
one to • shoot for if heifers are
well fed. In addition to age,.
the weight should be 750-850
pounds (340-390 kg) and ,the
height at the withers , from
50-52 inches (127-133 cm).
Failure to meet these weight
or height criteria 'at 15
months of age:. indicates a
management problem. Be-
sides genetics, the main
factors which influence
growth are, nutrition, envir-
onment and disease.
A recent survey of Ontario
dairy herds by extension
specialists found that most of
the heifers were meeting the
weight target at 24 months,
but few weretall enough. It
seemed ' that most of the
growth . setbacks occurred
during the first 15 months.
Further observations pointed
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to overcrowding and under-
feeding, particularly protein.
Most farmers appear to be.
meeting heifer energy re-
quirements because they are
meeting the weight targets,
but they are short on nutri
ents (protein), minerals and
vitamins) that increase stat-
ure. These nutrients are as-
sumed to be in the forage but
forage quality would have to.
be excellent to avoid the
need for supplemental grain.
To be onthe safe side, grain
mixtures should contain 16-
18% protein, 0.75-1.0%
phosphorous and Vitamins
A, D, and E. The quantity of
grain required will vary with
quality of forage,, season of
the year and type of housing.
The only way to know for
sure if you're feeding enough
is to monitor heifer growth,
adds Mr. McKnight. If they
are not keeping pace with the
followinggrowth chart you
need to change your manage-
ment.
Custom
Seed
Cleaning
AND TREATING
(Bulk or Bag)
TAKING ORDERS FOR
Clover & Grass Seeds
Seed Grain
Elliott's Seed Mill
and Trucking
Lucknow _ 528-3500
4
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•
Stove Henan
78 HAMILTON ST.
OODERICH
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KAY.
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