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Questions and Answers
What is the average gestation period for a replacement heifer?
283 days
What percentage of calves are born in the spring?
80%
What is the immediate care given to a newborn calf?
Clear airways, disinfect navels, rub for circulation, and feed 2-3 liters of colostrum
What is the purpose of milk replacer in calf rearing?
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What is the target weight for a replacement heifer at mating?
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What is the Body Condition Score (BCS) target at mating?
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What is the purpose of ear tagging ?
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What is the importance of colostrum in calf nutrition?
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What do housing require for animals?
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What is the basis for selecting a bull for breeding?
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Study Notes
Life Cycle of a Replacement Heifer: Birth to 2 Years
Birth and Early Care
- Gestation period of a heifer is 283 days
- 80% of births occur in the spring
- Immediate care involves clearing airways, disinfecting navels, rubbing for circulation, and feeding 2-3 liters of colostrum
Calf Rearing
- Feeding sequence: colostrum, natural milk, milk replacer, and finally concentrates, hay, and grass
- Milk replacer prevents milk loss and helps avoid scour when fed regularly
Housing
- Housing should be clean, well-ventilated, draught-free, and provide clean bedding and water
Weaning
- Leader-follower grazing system promotes selective grazing and disease prevention
Overwintering (9 Months)
- Heifers are fed good quality silage with 75% DMD and dosed for hoose
Year 2 (Replacement Heifer)
- Selection criteria for replacement heifers include genetic merit, replacing lower yield cows, and a BCS of 3.25 at mating
- Target weight for replacement heifers is 300-330kg
- Feed consists of grass and silage with 75% DMD ad lib
- Importance of farm safety, adhering to safety measures
Key Practices
- Ear tagging is essential for identification and BVD control
- Housing should be clean, dry, well-ventilated, and provide adequate space
- Health management involves vaccination, dosing, and foot care
- Farm safety is crucial, with emphasis on safe practices in handling and managing livestock
Nutritional Management
- Colostrum is high in antibodies, providing crucial passive immunity
- Regular feeding of milk replacer prevents digestive issues
- Gradual introduction of concentrates, hay, and grass for rumen development
Selection of Replacement Heifers
- Criteria for selection include genetic merit, body condition score, and target weight
- Bull selection is based on Economic Breeding Index (EBI) and sub-indexes
Body Condition Score (BCS)
- BCS scale ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 being underweight and 5 being overweight
- Target BCS at mating is 3.25
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Description
Learn about the life cycle of a replacement heifer from birth to 2 years, including birth and early care, calf rearing, and more. Improve your knowledge of cattle farming and animal husbandry.
