Heifer Feed Ratio

heifer feed ration

A well-balanced heifer feed ration is important for growth and development. This includes high-quality forage and ionophores, which stimulate growth. During lactation, the ration should be adjusted to meet the needs of lactating heifers.

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Developing heifers require a balanced ration

It is vital to feed developing heifers a balanced ration during the six to seven-month interval between weaning and breeding. This period is critical for maintaining the desired average daily gain of 1.5 lbs per day. The ration must contain 12.5% crude protein and 65% of total digestible nutrients. This diet is often supplemented with a mix of fatty acids, which are essential for hormone synthesis.

Heifers’ optimal weights vary, depending on the breed and biological type. Generally, British-breed crossbred heifers reach puberty earlier than continental European breeds. As a result, they may struggle to achieve light targets.

An extensive heifer development program can have many benefits for the whole operation, including higher profitability. High-quality bred females sell at a premium price in the market. Similarly, open heifers can be sold for profit as well. Marketing bred cows before depreciation occurs can reduce costs and increase profit margins per calf produced.

Providing them with high-quality forage

For the best performance of dairy heifers, it’s essential to provide them with high-quality forages. High-quality forages should have a high digestibility and be palatable. Forage must also be fermented well. This will ensure that heifers are getting an appropriate amount of “effective” physical fiber.

Top-quality forage must be accompanied by an adequate supplement of energy to support the heifer’s growth, reproduction, and milk production. For first-calf heifers, the supplementation interval can be cut down to one day. Heifers that are pregnant should be given preferential treatment and managed separately from mature cow herds.

For the ration, the amount of forage that contains the nutrient needed for a cow’s growth is measured in dry matter (DDM). This is the amount of forage less the moisture present. A nutritionist can help you determine the ideal amount of moisture for your ration. Another factor to consider is the amount of protein in the feedstuff. Higher-quality feeds have more protein. They also help save money on feed bills.

Providing ionophores to stimulate growth

Providing ionophores to heifer feed can improve the feed efficiency of a ration and increase the animal’s performance and health. The ionophores are a cost-effective solution that offers a constant return on investment. In most cases, the cost of ionophores is only a few cents per head per day. The return on investment is largely based on the increase in the feed efficiency.

Although ionophores are most commonly fed to finishing cattle, they are also safe for all classes of cattle. The performance response of ionophores will vary with the quality of the diet, and cattle grazing high-quality forage will most likely experience a lower response. Ionophores are often provided in the form of liquid or dry supplements and can also be incorporated into mineral blends. Some types of ionophores, such as monensin, have a high palatability in the loose form.

Ionophores have a high affinity for rumen bacteria and can increase feed efficiency by modulating the rumen microbiome. In addition to increasing feed efficiency, they can also boost energy and nitrogen metabolism. The ionophores’ effect on rumen microbial communities is highly variable, so it is important to choose the correct one based on the cattle’s diet and forage base.

Providing them with a balanced ration during lactation

The nutritional requirements of lactating dairy cows change significantly throughout early, mid, and late lactation. These differences make it difficult to provide a balanced ration. In early lactation, the demand for protein and energy is high, and the body’s ability to produce milk drops. The cow’s metabolism also slows down, and it begins to mobilize energy stores.

During the last trimester, the nutrient requirements of heifers are similar to those of breeding age cows. As the calving date approaches, protein and energy requirements increase. Dry matter intake declines, but protein intake increases. Therefore, the ration should be balanced and contain the appropriate amount of nutrients.

A positive balance ration should have total dry matter intakes of 3.25% to 4% of body weight. This amount allows the cows to breed, gain condition, and produce milk. The recommended nutrient content of a dairy heifer’s diet can vary widely depending on breed and milk production, but it is still important to provide a balanced diet.