Heifer development programs: shaping the right future for your herd
The pre-weaning period is so crucial because it is a period of development for the organs; no compensatory growth occurs in later phase. If a delay is experienced during this formative period it cannot be made up for and that potential is gone for good. If the rumen does not develop well at that time its mature size might be affected, as well as the intake capacity of the adult cow.
Early growth is also an important factor to reduce the age at first calving. Earlier calving is a very efficient way to reduce the cost of heifer rearing. In fact, reducing the heifer raising period from 24 months to 23 months saves approximately $93 per heifer.
If the early phases of heifer development are not well managed, a part of their potential will be erased. This will lead to disappointment and loss of income for the farmer.
Targets of a calf-heifer development program
A good calf-heifer development program aims to improve heifer health by decreasing digestive issues, optimizing growth by fulfilling nutritional requirements, and fostering rumen development. The objectives of the farmers can be more specific and may include things like a desire for early weaning, time and money savings, and/or maximum performance in accordance with premium quality genetics.
Our experts at ADM have considered all the important points for a successful rearing phase of dairy heifers and, through their Nursy programs, offer different options to the dairy farmer. These options depend on the strategy they wish to adopt. Nursy nutritional programs propose a complete and packaged solution that is dedicated to heifers, with three options:
- Flex, for a classical program focusing on security
- Quick, for an early weaning program
- Advance, for a high-performance program
These heifer development programs are based on a combination of Nursy specific starter feeds and associated highly digestible Newean milk replacers. Different additives included in these programs are extremely helpful to improve the performance of calves and address specific issues.
The use of a good quality milk replacer remains the best option for the dairy farmer in a ‘normal’ market situation. For example, a good quality milk replacer should be highly digestible, well balanced in amino acids and trace-elements, highly palatable and free from antinutritional factors. It should also help to promote the early consumption of solid feed, which is the golden criteria for smooth weaning.
Nutritionally balanced starter feeds, like those in the Nursy programs, provide an easy step into solid feed for calves. Feeds should be palatable and appealing to the calves, while providing all the nutrition they require.
Information in just a few clicks
Looking for guidance to make your feeding more precise and accurate? Want to make you’re your product mix is exactly right for heifer? ADM offers digital applications that can help optimize nutritional performance by providing immediate guidance on the diet and nutritional program composition. Because our matrix equations and databases are frequently updated and can pull from a history built from years of analysis coming from our R&D, we can offer solid information and background to fuel well informed decision-making. Thanks to this, we are in a position to provide advice adapted to the livestock’s needs and to the farmer’s objectives.
According to your project and needs we are able to help you improve all areas of your production system.
Our formulation, dairy nutrition expertise, farm & industrial technical supports help to optimize your milk production, and we help you to improve and monitor your economic results. We help to optimize your operation by providing ways to secure your production.
We work with you on raw materials sourcing, specific control plans, finished products evaluation, and also sanitary control of your milk processing plant.
