Feeding Tips from Agriculture Canada: Feeding First Calf Heifers

First calf heifers need special attention at feeding time. Here's why!

HEIFERS ARE STILL GROWING (100-150 lbs during each of their first two lactations). This means extra protein and energy is required. NRC suggests that cow maintenance requirements for protein and energy be increased by 20% during the first lactation and 10% during the second to allow for growth. Taking this into account, a 1,100 lb heifer's maintenance requirement is about the same as a 1,400 lb mature cow.
HEIFERS EAT LESS. Heifers will eat roughly 20% less feed than a mature cow.
HEIFERS HAVE MORE PERSISTENT MILK PRODUCTION. Peak milk production of heifers is approximately 25% less than that of a mature cow. Although they reach their peak later and at lower levels, heifers are more persistent. A drop of 10% per month after peak milk for older cows and 8% per month for first lactation cows are typical persistency values.
HEIFERS ARE MORE VARIABLE. Because heifers have not been exposed to as much culling, their production, intake and body size tends to be more variable than that of a mature cow.

FEEDING STRATEGIES:

Group heifers together. This reduces competition with older, larger and more aggressive cows. First calf heifers spend 10-15% more time eating when housed as a separate group. A recent survey conducted by the United Kingdom Milk Marketing Board showed that heifers from all-heifer groups gave more milk (728 kg/lactation) than those fed in competition with cows. Feed according to production with an allowance for growth.
Feed the heifers as you would a cow producing an extra 10-15 pounds of milk.
Heifers will need to be fed at or near peak levels for longer than mature cows.
Reduce udder edema at calving by limiting grain intake to 6-8 lbs/day for the two weeks prior to calving. Provide salt free choice (1-2 oz./day) or add it to the grain mix at no more than 1%.
Pay close attention to the body condition of the heifers and adjust the feeding program accordingly.
Allow a 60 day dry period even though heifers may still be milking well.

Article Written by:Karen Dupchak, Animal Nutritionist, Animal Industry Branch, Manitoba Agriculture, (204) 945-7668