There’s an interesting paradox in the dairy industry — frequently, we put a lot of money into dairy genetics, but then do not feed heifers accurately. As a result, producers lose money on the genetic potential of these heifers.
For the most part in today’s world, close to 55% of the average cow’s life is spent as a heifer. Furthermore, feed costs are the largest cost input, accounting for approximately 60% for heifer production. On a dairy, raising heifers can account for as much as 15% of total farm expenses, so this is a great opportunity for you to work with your clients to optimize diet efficiency.
The BASF Plant Science team recommends that heifers should average between 2.00-2.25 lbs/d for average daily gain (ADG) using accurately formulated rations to ensure they are optimizing body protein deposition but not increasing body fat deposition.
When developing heifer feeding regimes for your clients, the number one concern that should be kept in mind is to avoid over-conditioning. We know that over-conditioning (feeding excess energy) frequently leads to potential post-calving problems. Over-conditioning also reduces feed efficiency due to the deposition of fat, which converts less efficiently than protein. Another factor that can affect feed efficiency is age, as older heifers are sometimes less efficient than younger heifers.
NutriDense Silage has elevated protein and the energy contribution is from improved digestibility of the Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), not corn starch. Added starch will often reduce fiber digestion by creating alterations in the rumen ecological environment. NutriDense offers more flexibility for increasing the use of industrially produced co-products like soybean hulls, corn gluten feed, or distillers grains with solubles. It also allows you to use lower quality forage products like wheat straw, soybean stubble (provided there are not any soybeans in the stubble hay) or grass hay in the heifer feeding program.
NutriDense Silage can be used under many different feeding regimes. And it is our recommendation in heifer programs that controlled intake is the best option. Controlled intake using highly digestible fiber sources and an optimum balance of protein will:
- Maximize efficient use of available Nitrogen and organic matter
- Reduce manure output
- Reduce feed costs
- Provide for long-term milk production as a lactating cow
Additionally, we recommend the use of ionophores within the dairy replacement heifer program.
In closing, remember one of the important goals of a dairy replacement feeding program is to rear heifers as economically and environmentally responsibly as you can, without compromising future lactation performance. To accomplish this goal, it is very important that you work with your clients to put together heifer replacement feeding regimes using forage sources such as NutriDense Silage as a primary feedstuff.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or any of our NutriDense field nutritionists.
Jerry Weigel is the manager of nutrition and technical services for BASF Plant Science. You can contact him at gerald.weigel@basf.com.
