1 Technology Updates Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Emer Kennedy Email: emer.kennedy@teagasc.ie Contact http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/ Project number: 5892 Date: April 2014 Funding source: Teagasc Project dates: January 2009 – August 2013...
More
1 Technology Updates Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Emer Kennedy Email: emer.kennedy@teagasc.ie Contact http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/ Project number: 5892 Date: April 2014 Funding source: Teagasc Project dates: January 2009 – August 2013 Key external stakeholders: Dairy farmers, replacement heifer rearers, animal nutrition companies and consultants Practical implications for stakeholders: Replacement heifers are the building blocks of the future dairy herd. Reduced levels of management will result in a lesser profit, as heifers may calve later than 24 months, be underweight and produce less milk compared to more well managed heifers. This project investigated different over winter feeding regimes and their effect on the attainment of target weight at mating start date (MSD). Main results: Winter diet offered to heifers significantly impacts the weight gain achieved and their realisation of target weight at MSD. Offering heifers an energy rich diet (e.g. grass sila
Less
