Contact Information

Dr. Tony Pescatore, Ph.D.
Interim Department Chair

900 W.P. Garrigus Building Lexington, KY 40546-0215

+1 (859) 257-2686

The Basics of Feeding Heifers Economically

The Basics of Feeding Heifers Economically

The Basics of Feeding Heifers Economically


When we talk about feeding heifers economically, we need to look at ways to keep feed costs as low as possible, but, at the same time, feed for optimal heifer growth and weight gain. Our goal for Holstein heifers is to get them to weigh approximately 1200 lbs. after calving at 24 months of age or younger. This means that our heifer-raising program needs to be directed towards having heifers weighing 1350 lbs before calving since the calf, fetal membranes etc will weigh approximately 150 lbs.

How do we achieve these goals economically?

  1. Economical feeding programs start with forages. Forages form the foundation upon which rations are designed and land resources are effectively used. Then, grain mixes are fed to meet the nutrients not supplied by the forages themselves. Dry forages generally cost 6 cents per pound whereas grain mixes can cost 10 to 20 cents per pound.
  2. Quality of the forages fed to heifers greatly influences feed costs. As the quality of the forage decreases, heifers eat less of the forage and they need more grain. Thus, lower quality forages increase the costs to feed these heifers. For example, a ration with a higher quality hay may cost 25 cents less a day and heifers grow better. When you start multiplying these cost savings over a group of heifers, they can add up quickly.
  3. Balance rations for heifers using current forage analyses. Lets look at an example for a 700 lb Holstein heifer. You are feeding her 4 lbs of grain and average quality hay. You run out of the good hay and switch to another hay lower in quality - more fiber and less of the good stuff for growth. What happens..... the heifer gains less weight each day ... she calves older... or she calves lighter and may not milk as well after she calves. All of these options cost you $$$$.  We need to realize that younger heifers are more economical to feed than older heifers. Heifers under a year of age grow by putting down more of what we call lean tissue, muscle and bone. As she gets older she lays down more fat in relation to lean tissue, which is more expensive to get a pound of gain. Also, older heifers eat more just to maintain their body weight.
  4. Use feed additives to improve weight gain. Bovatec or rumensin can improve weight gain by 0.1 to 0.15 lbs per day and prevent coccidiosis in younger heifers. The growth promotion affect of these additives can get heifers in the milking string a month earlier ... making her more quickly a profit-producing asset versus a profit-eating asset.
  5. Sometimes, using commodities such as corn gluten feed or soyhulls may be a cheaper alternative to a corn/soybean meal grain mix. Commodities can and should be used to develop the most economically grain mix that complements the forages being fed.

 

Author:  Donna M. Amaral-Phillips

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Contact Information

Dr. Tony Pescatore, Ph.D.
Interim Department Chair

900 W.P. Garrigus Building Lexington, KY 40546-0215

+1 (859) 257-2686