Feeding First Calf Heifers
First calf heifers need special attention at feeding time. Here's why!
- Heifers are still growing (100-150 lbs during each of their first twolactations). This means extra protein and energy is required. NRC suggests that cowmaintenance requirements for protein and energy be increased by 20% during the firstlactation and 10% during the second to allow for growth. Taking this into account, a 1,100lb. heifer's maintenance requirement is about the same as a 1,400 lb. mature cow.
- Heifers eat less. Heifers will eat roughly 20% less feed than a maturecow.
- Heifers have more persistent milk production. Peak milk production ofheifers is approximately 25% less than that of a mature cow. Although they reach theirpeak later and at lower levels, heifers are more persistent. A drop of 10% per month afterpeak milk for older cows and 8% per month for first lactation cows are typical persistencyvalues.
- Heifers are more variable. Because heifers have not been exposed to asmuch culling, their production, intake and body size tends to be more variable than thatof a mature cow.
Feeding Strategies
- Group heifers together. This reduces competition with older, larger andmore aggressive cows. First calf heifers spend 10-15% more time eating when housed as aseparate group. Surveys have shown that heifers from all-heifer groups gave significantlymore milk than those fed in competition with cows.
- Feed according to production with an allowance for growth. Feed theheifer as you would a cow producing an extra 10-15 pounds of milk.
- Heifers will need to be fed at or near peak levels for longer thanmature cows.
- Reduce udder edema at calving by limiting grain intake to 6-8 lbs/dayfor the two weeks prior to calving. Provide salt free choice.
- Pay close attention to the body condition of the heifers and adjust thefeeding program accordingly.
- Allow a 60-day dry period even though heifers may still be milkingwell.
