Calf project will be blueprint for heifer rearing

摘要

Heifer rearing has long been called "the forgotten enterprise" but things are changing. The Cheshire Calf Project -based on the heifer-rearing practices of 20 of the county's dairy farmers - is seeking to create a blueprint for rearing that covers every stage from the baby calf through to calving. Figures show more than 65% of all dairy heifers fail to calve by 24 months old. Based on the fact that age at calving has a direct correlation with age at bulling, and inevitably fertility, it's the development of the heifer through all stages up to bulling and even beyond, that influences this failure rate.