Raising dairy replacements : An investment in the future

Abstract

"In 1982, the life expectancy of cows in the DHIA program was 5.5 years or 3.5 lactations. During her life, a cow can be expected to produce three calves. Using a plus-predicted* sire, keeping all heifers that offer reasonable promise, and maintaining a 5 percent or less calfhood mortality are ways you can increase herd size and improve inherited productivity. Unfortunately, on many farms, the number of replacements available is adequate only for replacing cows that die or suffer from disease, injury, sterility, or old age. If heifers are bred to a scrub or beef bull and calfhood mortality exceeds 15 to 20 percent, you'll have to depend on purchasing replacements. Raising your own replacements prevents diseases from being introduced to the herd by purchased animals. You also have first opportunity to determine their merit as milk producers. With a successful program for raising replacements, you'll have a heifer ready to freshen at 24 months. Most of the practices described in this guide sheet are important in achieving this goal."--First page.