HEIFER REARING

Question 1

State the time when the best intake of quality colostrum to ensure a good start for calves.

Answer 1

First 24 hours of life

Within 6 hours at the latest

Question 2

What is the weight requirement for calves by weaning.

Answer 2

Doubled their birth weight

Question 3

What is the amount of concentrates calves should be eating and for how long prior to weaning?

Answer 3

1.5kg/head/day of concentrates over 2-3 consecutive days prior to weaning

Question 4

What is the average growth rates calves need to hit the optimum target calving age, and what is the optimum calving age?

Answer 4

0.7-0.8 kg/day growth rates (DLWG);

22-24 months of age

Question 5

What is the weight requirement for Heifers to be bulled and what age?

Answer 5

60% of their adult weight;

13-15 months of age

Question 6

What is the ideal number of weeks vaccination should be completed prior to service?

Answer 6

4 weeks prior to service

Question 7

What can be used to ensure good heat detection?

Answer 7

Tail paint

Question 8

What is synchronisation protocol used for?

Answer 8

To get Heifers served

Question 9

What is the ideal growth rates and BCS up until calving?

Answer 9

0.7-0.8 kg/day at a BCS of 2.5-3.0

Question 10

How to avoid deficiencies during reading processes?

Answer 10

Appropriate minerals and trace elements

Question 11

What method is used to monitor colostrum intakes?

Answer 11

Total protein measurements in newborn calves - good measure of passive transfer

Question 12

How to monitor growth rates?

Answer 12

Wither height or a weighband

Question 13

What are medicines records for?

Answer 13

Monitor the number of cows having to treat

Question 14

State the expected weights for each stage of growing calves.

Answer 14

Birth - approx. 40 kg 
Weaning (6-8 weeks) - approx. 80 kg
Puberty (6-12 months) - approx. 200-250 kg 
Service (15 months) - approx. 420 kg 
Calving (22-24 months)

Question 15

What is the ideal standard for milk replacer post-colostrum?

Answer 15

Low fat + high protein

Question 16

What is the minumum amount of milk a calf should receive daily?

Answer 16

Milk of 10% of body weight over 2 feeds

Question 17

How much of protein crude in course mix should calves be given from birth, and what is the purpose of this?

Answer 17

19-20% crude protein;

encourages them to eat hard feed earlier and stimulate better rumen development

Question 18

Why should cows not be too fat before puberty?

Answer 18

Heifers would lay down fat cells in the udder and will not give as much milk in lactation

Question 19

When to wean beef?

Answer 19

At 6.5 months when 75% of nutrient requirement is from sources other than milk

Question 20

When does a heifer start making a farmer any money back?

Answer 20

Half way through her 2nd lactation

Question 21

When is the feed conservation efficiency the highest?

Answer 21

1st few weeks of life

Question 22

When does fertility increase up to?

Answer 22

3rd oestrus cycle after puberty

Question 23

What should be fed to beef heifers to prevent over-conditioned?

Answer 23

Straw and silage based diet;

Or restricted grass diet when there is an abundance of grass

Question 24

Define heifer.

Answer 24

A female that has not had any offspring

Question 25

When to wean calves

Answer 25

8 weeks of age