Focus on some overlooked aspects of heifer care
Ron Scherbring knows what it takes to raise a top-quality heifer.
The southeastern Minnesota custom heifer grower says it’s absolutely crucial to know the health status of the baby calves when they enter his farm. “Knowing if they have the maximum immunity through mom’s colostrum is very important.”
As the animals grow in size, it’s crucial to monitor their feed intake, he says. He wants to know if the animals’ feed intake is consistent and sufficient to meet their nutritional needs.
“A lot of people know what it takes to produce a top-quality heifer,” Scherbring says. But getting it done is a whole different matter, he adds.
To amplify Scherbring’s points, this month’s issue of Dairy Herd Management has been devoted to certain aspects of calf and heifer care that are sometimes overlooked or not followed as stringently as they should be.
We start off by showing the economic importance of a heifer-mastitis-treatment program. We also discuss the importance of getting heifers off to the right start in life, and that includes pasteurizing the waste milk fed to these animals when they are calves. We also discuss the constant threat posed by Mycoplasma bovis. Finally, we include several calf- and heifer-care tips in a special Heifer Tips section.
Review this information package with your employees and your advisers to make sure your heifer-rearing program is top-notch.
Heifer health articles:
