Heifers + Housing = 24 Month Calving
Dale Thoreson, dairy field specialist
Situation
The average age of calving for Iowa dairy herds is 26-27 months of age. Numerous
research studies show that heifers are metabolically able to be calved out at
22 to 24 months. First lactation heifers normally peak at 70 to 90 pounds of
milk per day. Extension has identified a lack of adequate housing for heifers
three to 20 months of age as one factor slowing rate of growth and delaying
calving. Calving heifers (large breeds) at 24 months and weighing 1,350 pounds
just prior to calving can increase income over variable costs by $3,600* for
each 100 cows annually.
Response
A series of farm calls and educational publications resulted in three heifer
or dry cows facilities being built in Allamakee County in 2003. Each producer
agreed to host a field day and respond to questions from participants. Design
style, animal criteria and costs were freely discussed. A single page, illustrated
handout gave details of the heifer facilities.
Impact
On April 4th over 100 dairy producers and agri-businesses came to see the three
housing styles. Hosting dairy farmers described their barns, pointed out positive
and negative aspects, and responded to questions for over an hour. One host
stated, "I've had to move breeding dates up to 12-13 months because the
heifers are growing so fast. This is four months sooner then his old system.":
Another stated, "You just don't loose a heifer with these open fronted
mono-sloped heifer buildings." No formal survey of participants has been
done, but requests for heifer facility designs have increased.* See Field Specialist
for specifics
Page last updated:
July 9, 2006
Page maintained by Linda Schultz, lschultz@iastate.edu
