Understanding Secrets of Replacement Heifers in Dairy Herds

摘要

Heifers are valuable source of maternal genetics, which requires considerable investment whether she is bred and reared on farm or purchased. Heifers are | required for replacement of dairy herd and the surplus females generate income to the farmers.Heifer selection may start before the calf is born in the form of selecting right parents to meet target performances. Reproduction and production is thus interrelated in dairy production system. About 65-70% of expected mature mass is considered to be desirable mating mass in heifers. The lower the age is at first calving, the faster the rate of increasing the herd strength. Greater age at first calving shows more number of heifers at farm. Heifer should be allowed to breed at early age as the older the heifer the lower the fertility. Replacement heifers are young bovine that are raised for the purpose of |replacing and improving the cattle herd as far as milking and raising calves are concerned.