Well-grown heifers perform better throughout their lives. They produce more milk, achieve reproductive success, and make you more money by staying in the herd for longer.
DairyNZ have set clear growth targets as a helpful guide to achieve a well-grown heifer.
Aim for heifers to reach a minimum of 30 percent of mature liveweight by six months of age, 60 percent by mating at 15 months, and 90 percent by calving.1
To set accurate targets, weigh a sample of your MA cows to determine actual mature liveweight. With this season's calves now on the ground, here are some tech tips to give them the best start and ensure they meet these milestones.
Nutrition is paramount to healthy development
Calves require a diet high in energy and protein to support optimal growth and achieve target weights over spring and summer. Pasture along is rarely sufficient. Incorporating forage crops and supplements, especially when pasture quality or availability is limited, helps heifers reach their growth targets. The benefit of reaching these targest makes supplementation a cost-effective strategy.
Adequate mineral levesl are essential for healthy muscle and skeletal growth, strong immunity, and successful reproduction.
Blood or liver testing helps identify any deficiencies. Administering a multimineral injection such as Horizon's InjectaMin containing copper, selenium, zinc, manganese, and InjectaMax which also contains vitamin B12, can be effective in boosting mineral levels during critical periods, such as weaning.
Internal parasites are a leading cause of heifers failing to meet target weights.
Your animal health plan needs to include a comprehensive parasite management plan to minimise preventable setbacks in growth rates. To be effective and sustainable, include strategic grazing practices minimising larval intake, such as rotating with older stock or other species, maintaining high grazing residuals, and incorporating forage crops to be used in conjunction with wise drench usage.
Considerations when picking safe and effective drench options:
- Under 100kg: Calves under 100kg are susceptible to Abamectin toxicity. Drench combinations including Abamectin should not be used in this weight group. VETMED Combomax contains Oxfendazole and Levamisole making it an effective and safe choice.
- Age: Cattle under 12-months require Levamisole to targert Cooperia worms, so all calf drenches should contain this drench component.
- Greater than 100kg: Once calves are greater than 100kg, an oral triple combination should be used such as VETMED Triplemax.
- Faecal Egg Counts (FEC): Taking a 10-day post-drench FEC aids in monitoring the effectiveness of the drench you are using. When drenching, dose to the heaviest animal and use a reliable calibrated drench gun.
Talk to your local PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative about tailoring a young stock management plan that suits your farm's needs this spring.
