SECOND WINTER

TARGETS: Growth rates of 0.7 - 0.8kg/day are recommended during first pregnancy. Heifers should be 440 - 450kg at housing, or approximately 80% of mature live weight. Heifers must achieve 90% of mature body weight at calving at a Body Condition Score of 3.0 - 3.25.

ANIMAL NUTRITION

● Achieving target weights at calving dictates first-lactation performance, lifetime performance of the heifer and ultimately the milking herd. ● Where heifers are below target weight at the point of calving, growth continues during the first lactation at the expense of milk production. ● Avoid heifers becoming over fat during this period. ● Good quality silage and a high quality pre-calver mineral (GAIN Pre-calver Gold @ 120g/head/day) is generally sufficient during the second winter provided they are housed at target weights. ● Spring born in-calf replacement heifers will eat approx. 1.1t of 20% DM silage/month over the winter period. ● Heifers below target weights should be offered concentrates (GAIN Pre-calver Activator) pre-calving.

ANIMAL HEALTH

Salmonella Where heifers have not been vaccinated against salmonella yet, now is the time to start with the primary course of two injections 3 weeks apart to prevent abortions.

Rota/coronavirus and E-coli Vaccinate pregnant heifers 3 - 12 weeks before calving to increase colostrum quality and provide additional protection against calf scour for the newborn calf.

Parasite control Usually it is not necessary to dose heifers for liver fluke until housing. Bulk tank herd disease screening can be used to gauge the fluke risk in your herd. Based on heifer growth rates and fecal egg count results there may not have been a need to dose late in the grazing season for stomach worms. Dosing at housing will clear any remaining parasites and prevent problems during the winter and in early spring. Pay attention to the products used as not all products are allowed in pregnant heifers.

Lice and mites Some anthelmintics will also eliminate lice and mites, however, specific treatments during housing may be required.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

● Clipping tails over the first winter period is recommended to ensure heifers have a clean, dry udder at the point of calving. ● Training heifers to the parlour & cubicles over this period is also recommended to avoid issues in early spring. ● Heifers should be included in the herd’s footbath routine to control mortellaro.

Holstein x Friesian New Zealand x Friesian Jersey x (Holstein x Friesian) Comments

Birth Weight Kgs 41 38 34 6 Weeks 63 56 52 3 Months 90 80 75 6 Months 155 148 138 8 Months 175 170 160 9 Months 220 210 196 12 Months 280 267 250 15 Months 330 315 295 18 Months 410 398 366 21 Months 490 470 437 30% of mature weight

60% of mature weight

25 Months 550 525 490

Pre-Calving Weight (90% of mature weight)

Target performance for Dairy replacement heifers (Kgs) of different genetics (based on Spring Calving and a mean calving date of mid-February). NB: These targets are considered minimum. Heavier weights at mating tend to produce significantly more milk in the first lactation.

Birth Weight Kgs 6 Weeks

3 Months

6 Months

8 Months

9 Months

12 Months

15 Months

18 Months

Holstein x Friesian New Zealand x Friesian Jersey x (Holstein x Friesian) Comments

21 Months

25 Months

Target performance for Dairy replacement heifers (Kgs) of different genetics (based on Spring Calving and a mean calving date of mid-February). NB: These targets are considered minimum. Heavier weights at mating tend to produce significantly more milk in the first lactation.

THE GAIN CALF MILK REPLACER RANGE

GAIN EASI-MIX CALF MILK REPLACER (25% Protein)

25% protein milk replacer formulated specifically for high performance dairy heifer rearing systems. High quality milk proteins promote maximum growth and performance with the lowest risk of nutritional or metabolic upset. Can be introduced abruptly from 7 days of age. Ideally, do not mix with whole milk.

Suitable for bucket, teat, ad-lib machine and computerised feeding systems. Digest VO® and BioMos® added to support immune function, and help against Coccidiosis and Cryptosporidium. Gardion® (Garlic oil) added to aid immunity and performance.

Yoghurt Powder, directly adds lactic acid bacteria to the calf’s stomach. This lactic acidic bacteria reduces pH in the abomasum, making it a more hostile environment for scour causing bacteria such as E-Coli to thrive. Mix at 12.5% (500g makes 4L). Can be fed once-a-day from 28 days of age, mixed at 20% solids (200g makes 1L).

GAIN EASI-DUAL CALF MILK REPLACER (23% Protein)

23% protein milk replacer suitable for high performance dairy heifer and beef calf rearing systems. Maximum levels of quality milk products promote trouble-free performance with young calves. Can be introduced abruptly from 7 days of age. Ideally, do not mix with whole milk.

Suitable for bucket, teat, ad-lib machine and computerised feeding systems. Butyrate® added for extra performance. Gardion® (Garlic oil) added to aid immunity and performance. Digest VO® helps against Coccidiosis and Cryptosporidium. Yoghurt Powder, directly adds lactic acid bacteria to the calf’s stomach. This lactic acidic bacteria reduces pH in the abomasum, making it a more hostile environment for scour causing bacteria such as E. coli to thrive. Mix at 12.5% (500g makes 4L). Can be fed once-a-day from 28 days of age, mixed at 20% solids (200g makes 1L).

GAIN SHINE ONCE-A-DAY

A low heat skim-based milk replacer formulated to ensure slow digestive rate occurs throughout the day. Contains a blend of plant oils and buttermilk to increase digestion and dry matter intake. GAIN Shine Once-a-day fed calves receive the same amount of milk powder as twice-a-day calves, but in a smaller volume.

Labour saving option.

GAIN SHINE

Contains low heat skim milk to provide high levels of protection & performance. Contains a blend of skim milk buttermilk and plant oils, to encourage dry matter intake and rumen development pre-weaning.

THE GAIN CALF FEED RANGE

GAIN STARTACALF MUESLI (18% Protein)

Highly palatable cooked early starter muesli for young calves. Feed until calves are eating greater than 250 grams per head per day, moving onto GAIN Goldgrain Calf Nut or GAIN Calf Crunch 18.

Based on cooked flaked materials including Maize, Wheat, Barley, Soya and Peas. Includes buffers (Acidbuf) to aid a stable rumen environment. Coated with Molasses and Vegetable Oil to encourage early intake and coat shine. Yea-Sacc® live yeast improves performance naturally. Vitamin E included at 200iu/kg to help support the calf against disease. Protected Minerals are included.

GAIN CALF CRUNCH (18% Protein)

Cooked palatable coarse feed for calves, suitable for pre and post weaning feeding, following on after GAIN Startacalf, if a coarse feed is fed during the rearing period.

Includes Flaked Maize and a palatable Molasses coating. Yea-Sacc® live yeast improves performance naturally. Vitamin E included at 150iu/kg to help support the calf against disease. Acidbuf included to aid a stable rumen environment.

Protected Minerals are included.

GAIN GOLDGRAIN CALF NUT (18% Protein)

Wholegrain calf feed combining the benefits of coarse and nuts in pelleted form, for pre and post weaning feeding, following on after GAIN Startacalf, if a pelleted feed is fed during the rearing period. Includes Flaked Maize and a palatable Molasses coating. Yea-Sacc® live yeast improves digestion and performance naturally. Vitamin E included at 100iu/kg to help support the calf against disease. Acidbuf included to aid a stable rumen environment.

GAIN CALF REARER NUT (18% Protein)

High-energy calf nut for calves, following on after GAIN Goldgrain Calf Nut or GAIN Calf Crunch 18, ideally suited for follow-on feeding after weaning. Cereal based including Native Cereals and Maize. Yea-Sacc® live yeast improves performance naturally.

GAIN WEAN 'N' BUILD NUTS (16% Protein)

GAIN Wean 'N' Build Nuts is a strong, versatile feed that is perfect for encouraging frame growth. It can be fed to dairy heifers on high forage diets from one month after weaning until calving at grass or as a supplement to grass silage.

These nuts are best suited for weanlings, yearlings and dairy heifers, fed at 0.5 - 1.25kg/100kg BW/day.

Native Cereals and Maize based to provide readily available energy. 16% protein suits heifers on grass, silage or maize silage.

Mineral levels have been increased to compliment forage.

Specifically formulated for use on high forage diets, at max 1.25kg/100kg BW/day.

Yea-Sacc® live yeast improves performance naturally.

Note: Information contained in this leaflet may change from time to time to meet departmental regulations, for the most up to date product information please see the product label.

All feeding guidelines should be strictly followed.