Symposium review: Strategies to improve the efficiency and profitability of heifer raising

摘要

Regional Research Project NC-2042 has a main objectiveto study calf and heifer nutrition. Within thisobjective, feeding the postweaned heifer is considered amajor priority to improve the profitability and sustainabilityof US dairy farms. Through optimizing nutrientutilization by precision feeding, using alternative feeds,high-fiber diets, and feed additives, this research grouphas worked to enhance dairy heifer nutrition. Researchhas focused on precision feeding heifers and incorporatinghigh- and low-fiber diets into this system of feeding.This is accomplished by meeting the nutrient needs ofthe heifer for a desired rate of growth while enhancingtotal-tract nutrient digestibility, reducing waste andimproving profitability. High-fiber forages have beenstudied as a means of controlling ad libitum dry matterintakes and thus weight gain in heifers. These resultsprovide producers with a means of feeding heifers whilereducing costs. Similarly, utilizing alternative feedstuffsin heifer diets has also been a major research area forthis group including comprehensive research on distillersco-products, and new protein sources such as camelinaand carinata meals. Results indicated that theseproducts can be satisfactorily incorporated into heiferdiets. Studying feed additives has also been a functionof the research group. Research with Ascophyllum nodosumand cinnamaldehyde indicated that calves findthese additives unpalatable and that supplementing cinnamaldehydeto postweaned heifers showed no benefit.However, sodium butyrate and yeast supplementationproved to be beneficial in the growth and feed efficiencyof heifers. Research from this group has an effect onheifer feeding, resulting in new information that canaid in the sustainability of dairy farms. This review willfocus on the area of postweaned heifer nutrition.