Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-fqc5m Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T19:35:46.724Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The effect of growth rate on age at first calving, fertility and milk production during the first lactation of Holstein-Friesian heifers on UK dairy farms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

J S Brickell*
Affiliation:
Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
D C Wathes
Affiliation:
Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
Get access

Extract

Rearing heifer replacements that reach first calving at an age and body weight (BW) to achieve their full lifetime potential, in terms of both yield and profitability, is a key factor in dairy enterprises. Rate of growth during the rearing period has a direct effect on age at first calving (AFC) (Heinrichs, 1993). It is widely accepted that the average daily gain (ADG) of Holstein-Friesian heifers should be approximately 0.7 kg/d before puberty, and 0.8 kg/d after. However, we have previously found extreme variability in the ADG of calves both within and between commercial dairy farms; this may in part be due to the very limited use of weight or height measurements on most farms. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of growth rate during the first six months of life on AFC, and subsequent fertility and milk production during first lactation of Holstein-Friesian heifers on UK dairy farms.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Heinrichs, A.J. 1993. Journal of Dairy Science. 76, 3179–3187.Google Scholar