-
House
recently weaned heifers individually for 2 weeks,
then in small groups of 4-6 for several weeks
until they are adjusted to competing for
feed.
-
Develop
individual farm programs which allow heifers to be
monitored for growth on a regular basis.
-
Develop
a system of "pens" on your farm which
allows heifers to be fed and cared for in a labor
efficient manner. Ideally this should be
away from the milk cow barn.
-
With
your veterinarian, develop and implement a
vaccination program specific to your herd.
-
Have
rations balanced using NRC or typical nutrient
requirements, and adjust them based on the
performance of your heifers.
-
Use
a growth promotant from 6 to 22 months of age for
feed effieciency and improved weight gains for an
economical advantage.
-
Pay
special attention to heifers two months prior to
breeding to make sure they are of breeding size at
the proper time.
-
Make
sure all calves receive the proper level of
colostrum at birth.
-
Pay
special attention to young animals during cold and
heat stress conditions.
-
Use
Deccox in the early stages of calf development to
prevent coccidiosis.
-
Prevent
respiratory infections by reducing stress and
ventilating facilities adequately.
-
Treat
scours immediately with Scour Stop-R, code
307/1307 and Dex-O-Lite, code 930/931.
