How did your first calvers compare to the rest of the herd?

Problems with first calver pregnancy results can often be traced back to undergrown heifers at mating.

DairyNZ's initiative, In-Calf, shows us that a 420kg Friesian heifer will be at least 10% behind her target weight, even if "she looks well-rounded", so at 22 months, she is already costing you in lost future production.

As a direct result of being undergrown at her first mating

• Her 6-week in calf rate will likely decrease by 5% - later calver
• Her chance of being empty as a second calver will increase by 2%
• She will produce 8kg fewer milk solids

This adds up to a cost of $88 per heifer

Starting off on the right hoof !

After successfully rearing your calves to target weaning weights, it is vital you don't take your foot off the pedal.  Heifers in their first year of life are prone to a multitude of health conditions that can lead to rapid reversal of weight gains.  With the first twelve months being the most critical for skeletal muscle (frame) development it is essential to keep the scales ticking on up.

The InCalf programme recommends that heifers reach 90% of their mature liveweight at 22 months, or their first calving.  Consider the following points when next weighing or looking over your weaners.

• Keep an eye out for common post-weaning health problems: yersiniosis, coccidiosis, penumonia
• Develop and maintain a regular parasite treatment programme, taking care to use effective drenches at the correct intervals.  Discuss this with a vet if you are unsure
• Vaccinate twice with 6in1 or 10in1 to prevent sudden deaths as a result of clostridial infection
• Regularly weigh RI's: if weights and/or weight gains are below target (Friesians should average 0.54kgLW/day between weaning and calving) due to the amount or quality of pasture, consider feeding supplements, especially concentrates
• Ensure regular trace element testing is performed and that any deficiences are corrected
• Intervene early when it comes to the facial eczema season - zinc bullets are the most effective way of preventing eczema in young stock

We offer a very competitively-priced heifer weighing service providing reports on individual weights, growth rate graphs and comparisons with target weights set for your individual herd.  These reports enable you to adapt management practices in time to achieve target weights.

If there is any question that your R2 heifers are not meeting their target weights, weigh them now to enable you to make changes in time for their first mating.  This job has often been put in the "too hard basket" until now.

Jessica Kingsland, Franklin Vets rural technician, can make this a quick and easy job for you, providing valuable information as you head into winter and feed management become even more important.

Contact your local branch of Franklin Vets today to make an appointment and avoid disappointing pregnancy test results next year.