INTRODUCTION

Dairy heifer calves, as the milking cows of the future, are a priority group of animals on the farm. Their management in the first weeks and months of life will have a significant impact on both their lifetime production and on the long-term profitability of the dairy herd. The focus of this brochure is about getting the basics right when it comes to heifer rearing. By adopting best practice across the areas of nutrition and animal health, optimal performance will be achieved leading to target growth rates and heifers that calve down at 24 months with the ability to realise their full genetic potential in the herd. Minimum average daily gain of 0.75 - 0.8kg/day from birth to calving is required to achieve target weights to calve heifers down at 24 months. Teagasc highlights calving heifers at 22 - 26 months of age as a key performance indicator to improving lifetime production and increasing farm profit. The difference in output in a 100 cow herd equates to a loss of €30,700 when calving heifers at 32 months compared to calving heifers between 22 - 26 months.

This brochure has been compiled using the best technical guidance from our team of technical specialists in Glanbia Ireland. These specialists also play a supporting role to our sales and advisory teams that work closely with our farmer members to get the best performance on their farm. It is set out through the stages of development from newborn calf to calving down and entering the milking herd. Whether it be colostrum and milk feeding guidelines or vaccinations and parasite control, following the best practice guidelines in this booklet will ensure that dairy heifers get the best start, leading to a long and productive life in the milking herd.

Shane McElroy

Head of Technical Development Glanbia Ireland