Almost a fifth of milking heifers fail to reach their second lactation
9th March 2023
The evaluation, carried out through Reading University, found that 17% of milking heifers exit the herd before calving down for a second time.
According to a recent AHDB study, poor cow health and fertility contributed to the figures, however the reasons varied from farm to farm.
Dr Jenny Gibbons, AHDB senior animal health and welfare scientist said: “At a time when dairy farms are under increasing cost pressures, it’s worrying that so many first lactation heifers are exiting the herd before their rearing costs are recouped.”
Decisions around fertility, feed, health, housing and grouping are known to have a big impact on a heifer’s longevity with the herd.
They eat more slowly, ruminate less, are lower in the pecking order, can be easily chased away from feed space or lying areas so need time to adjust to life in the milking herd.
In-calf heifers also require extra care since the soft tissues of the sole inside the hoof are thinnest in younger animals, as well as at calving, thus increasing the risk of sole bruising and ulcers.
Dr Gibbons said: “Improving rearing management on farm not only offers a huge opportunity to increase a heifer’s herd longevity, but also reduce costs, help the environmental impact and influence consumer perception of dairy farms.”
AHDB are running a series of meetings across GB during March and May to help dairy farmers achieve a successful 2nd calving, which can be booked via their website.
