New report on Heifer Management
A new report is available for download from the AgriSearch.
The study looked at strategies for maximising health, welfare and performance of first lactation dairy heifers. It was carried out by Alistair Boyle as his PhD with assistance from Dr Niamh O'Connell and Dr Conrad Ferris.
The study sought the answer to four questions:
In summary, the research suggests that it is beneficial from a welfare perspective to introduce calved dairy heifers into a lactating group containing older animals after evening milking, and also to mix them with older animals prior to calving. Furthermore, retaining heifers in a straw-bedded calving pen for slightly longer than normal, and in a ‘primiparous cow group’ during the initial post-calving period also appears to be beneficial for welfare.
For further information click on the link below.
- Are there benefits in introducing dairy heifers to the main dairy herd in the evening rather than the morning?
- Does housing nulliparous cows with multiparous animals prior to calving influence welfare and performance after calving?
- Should primiparous cows be housed separately from multiparous animals during the two-week period after calving?
- Does increasing the length of time primiparous cows stay in straw-bedded calving pens improve welfare and performance during the post calving period?
Managing first lactation heifers to maximise welfare and productivity - QUB-D-40-08