Management from weaning to
calving
Goal: satisfactory growth rate to attain puberty
by 12 months of age & exhibit several oestrous
cycles by 14 months of age
Failure to achieve recommended live weights:
at mating – reduced fertility
at calving – lower lactation milk
production & reduced subsequent fertility
Delayed age at first calving will result in
reduced lifetime profitability
Management from weaning to calving
Feed for maximum growth without fattening
– Aim for body condition score of 3.5 at calving
Adverse weather conditions (e.g. extreme heat or cold)
may reduce growth – supply extra feed
Protein, energy, mineral, and vitamin requirements
must be met
Provide iodized trace mineralized salt as well as
vitamins A, D, and E
Basic guidelines for a heifer-feeding program include:
– Make forages the foundation of a feeding program. Good quality
forage reduces the requirements for supplementation.
– The amount of grain and protein percentage in the grain mix
depends on quality of forages and age of calves
Body Condition Scoring
Management from weaning to
calving
Calves under six months of age usually need
1.8 to 2.7 kg of concentrate per day plus good
quality forage
Additional concentrates required in cold
weather - 20 to 40% more energy to maintain
body warmth
Reduce concentrates as they get older and
their rumen becomes more fully developed
By the time they are 1 year old, they usually
can grow at acceptable rates while consuming
good quality forage alone
Some concentrates will likely be needed
during the last few months of gestation
Management from weaning to
calving
Maintain sanitary conditions to ensure good
health
Vaccinate against brucellosis & other diseases
considered to be potential problems
Treat calves with coccidiostats (e.g. lasalocid)
during periods of stress and/or under high
moisture conditions
Deworming may be necessary, especially
under muddy conditions
Walk heifers through milking yards & dairy
several times before they calve
– Get them accustomed to the unfamiliar environment
• For natural mating or mating cows that
fail to conceive through AI (clean up
Management bull)
of Bull Calves • Rearing for sale – seedstock producers
• For beef production
Bull calf care & management
After puberty, bulls should be raised in separate pens
from the heifers
Should be housed in strong structures
Breeding age mostly housed with lactating cows & fed
same diet
Should be vaccinated for Infectious Bovine
Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD),
Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV),
leptospirosis & vibriosis
Should be tested for trichomoniasis and vibriosis
(venereal diseases)
Consider deworming, particularly for bulls on pasture,
routine foot trimming, and vaccination programs
• Obesity and lameness can negatively
Mature impact reproductive performance
• Dietary requirements similar to those of
Bulls a dry dairy cow
Management of the cow at calving & drying off
Can have important effects on the cow & its
udder
The Transition Period
Dry Cow Calving Lactating Cow
• Not pregnant
• Heavily pregnant • Oestrous cyclic activity
• Not producing milk • Producing large
• Eating only for quantities of milk
maintenance • Eating for maintenance
& production
Transitional Period (2 months around calving)
Highest incidence of
disorders & disease!
