NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

January 21, 1999

Increase Profits by Cutting Cost of Raising Dairy Heifers, Specialist Says

On dairy farms the expense of raising replacement heifers ranks second only to feed for cows. That makes it a good area to look to for cost savings, says a North Dakota State University dairy specialist.

"Surveys show that the cost of raising replacement heifers accounts for 9 to 20 percent of the total expense on the farm," says J.W. Schroeder of NDSU's Extension Service. "Producers won't see a return on that investment until heifers are in lactation." That investment totals from $1,000 to $1,300 per heifer at 24 months of age. For every day past the age of 24 months of age there is a loss of between $1.50 and $3 per day.

Schroeder outlines areas where costs can frequently be cut or profitability can be improved while raising heifers.

• Provide colostrum during the early development period. Colostrum helps put heifers on a healthy footing for future growth and development.
• Formulate rations specifically for weight gains during strategic times of development. Note that overfeeding prior to puberty can result in reduced lifetime milk production. Remember to adjust rations for cold conditions.
• Target weight gain so that Holstein heifers weigh 775 to 800 pounds at 14 to 15 months for breeding to calve at 24 to 25 months. Average gain should be about 1.8 pounds per day for a calving weight of 1,350 pounds.
• Use superior artificial insemination sires on replacement heifers. First-calf heifers typically make up a third of the replacement pool.
• Remember that weight is more critical than age at calving in relation to milk production.
• Implement a system to monitor weight, height and body condition score during heifer development and at calving. Also monitor milk production at start-up (the first 40 days), peak production (41 to 100 days) and calculate mature equivalents of milk production as indicators of good heifer development.

For more information on reducing the costs of raising replacement heifers and other dairy management topics, attend the North Dakota Dairy Cow College. The college will be held Monday, Feb. 1, at the Emmons County Courthouse Auditorium in Linton; Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Knights of Columbus Club in Dickinson; Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Morton County Fairgrounds Fair building in New Salem; Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Oak Valley Lutheran church in Velva and Friday, Feb. 5, at the Eagles Club in Jamestown.

Meetings begin at 10:30 a.m. Lunch is provided. For more information contact your county office of the NDSU Extension Service.

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Source: J.W. Schroeder (701) 231-7663

Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629