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WINTER 2013/2014
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
12
CAL F LOSSES
Dairy calves and heifers were sometimes the
'forgotten' animals on a farm, claimed Dr
Mee. They received less attention than the
main dairy herd, and were seen as a cost
because they were not giving any returns.
Dairy youngstock certainly were a cost, said
Dr Mee, and one which farmers frequently
underestimated. In Ireland, the cost of rearing
a heifer replacement is around
€
1300-
€
1600
(£1000-£1300). This makes them the second
highest cost on a farm after the feed bill.
Only once heifers had entered the milking
herd, could they begin to pay back the
investments made. So the health and
management of calves and heifers ultimately
has a big impact on farm profitability.
Preventing unnecessary losses along the
way was key.
Dairy calf and
heifer losses
When? How many? Why?
What can you do?
Dr John Mee
,
from the Moorepark Dairy Research
Centre in Ireland presented a selection of recent research
findings on the rearing of dairy calves and heifers. Below
are some highlights from his presentation at the XLVets
international farm meeting, with comments from XLVets'
Richard Matthews of Castle Vets in Barnard Castle, who
was one of the delegates at the conference.
Report from the XLVets international farm meeting
Dr John Mee
Moorepark Dairy Research
Centre, Ireland
Richard Matthews
Castle Veterinary
Surgeons, County Durham