Heifer care and management

Department Publishes Overview of Heifer Raising Industry

(Dairy Vietnam) US- The US Department of Agriculture has released a study of the 2011 heifer rearing industry offering a rare overview of operations on over 200 farms.

Numerous Reports of Pneumonia in Growing Calves

UK - Numerous reports of pneumonia associated with Mannheimia infections have been observed in growing calves, according to the latest AHVLA Scanning Surveillance Report.

Calf Health

The aim of successful calf rearing is to produce a healthy calf which is capable of optimum performance throughout its life from birth through to finishing, reports Bernadette Earley, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc.

Heifer and Cow Management

The life cycle of an animal starts at conception. With cattle, the calf is born after a period of 283 days or approximately 9 months of pregnancy. One of the most important factors affecting the management of breeding, is the length of this gestation period (the time the cow carries the calf from conception to birth). After calving, a cow should not be brought to the bull before at least 50 days have elapsed to allow the uterus time to undergo involution (a necessary period of rest and recuperation from possible injuries suffered at calving).

Plan Now To Improve Calving Weight

With higher calf prices in the fall of 2010, there is a belief in the industry that the prices will hold going into the fall of 2011. Higher prices provide an incentive to increase calf weaning weights and dollars received per calf when this upcoming calf crop is sold.

Systems Of Production For Male Calves From The Dairy Herd

Researchers at the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Ireland, look at the different production methods for male calves from the dairy herd.

Mastitis Control in Heifers and First Lactation

By G.M. Jones, Professor of Dairy Science and Extension Dairy Scientist, Milk Quality & Milking Management, Virginia Tech; T.L. Bailey, Jr., Assistant Professor, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, and Extension Veterinarian, Virginia Tech.

Nutrition for the Early Developing Heifer

By Tom Bailey, Extension Specialist, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Julia M. Murphy, Extension Specialist, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Robert James, Professor, Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Tech.

Dairy Heifer Health, Disease Control, and Vaccinations

By Tom Bailey, Extension Specialist, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Julia M. Murphy, Extension Specialist, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; Robert James, Professor, Department of Dairy Science; Virginia Tech.

At What Weight Should Holstein Heifers Freshen?

By Jeffrey F. Keown, Extension Dairy Specialist - This guide offers research findings on the appropriate weights for Holstein heifer freshening and suggests producers be aware of economic considerations involved in heifer freshening.