An assessment of the heifer- rearing system and its consequences on a Hungarian Holstein-Friesian dairy farm

Abstract

The calf management on the farm is generally of a good standard. There are proper management systems in place with regard to both nutrition and housing of the calves and heifers. Considering feet, leg disease and injury, along with gastrointestinal disease are the major issues in animals prior to calving, further steps should be taken to address these problems. Improved colostrum management and vaccination programs are straightforward ways of negating deaths accredited to gastrointestinal disease. Enhanced stable and hoof management would significantly reduce deaths and cullings caused by feet and leg disease and injury. Regular manure removal, hoof paring, floor mats and foot baths should all be practiced to avoid unnecessary loss of life and productivity. Metabolic disease is the other major problem, which is also very preventable when a proper nutrition program is implemented with the milking herd. After heifer rearing targets are achieved, it seems shortsighted that animals only survive for a limited number of lactations, and do not regularly reach the fourth, fifth or sixth lactation. This is where mature milk yields are produced, and where the farmer can significantly benefit from reaching calving targets and improve profit margins. The benefit of meeting age and weight targets means there is a lower cost involved compared with not realising targets. This figure has been calculated in other studies to be in the region of $1.50 per day. When all heifers on the farm are considered, this number can become extremely high and can be used as a way of highlighting the importance of a well run and coordinated management system. Incidence of dystocia and stillbirth were more or less as expected on any large dairy farm. Greater consideration should be given to heifers that conceive at 15 months, as it is this group that are more inclined to have problems even though they are of a good weight. In fact they may be over-conditioned, and so examination of other parameters such as height, body condition score, and pelvic width could give an early warning of any future obstetrical problems, together with improved observation around calving time.