Curves of growth in heifers and farm effects

Abstract

Age at first calving and growth rate from birth to calving are the major factors affecting economics of raising dairy replacements and lifetime producing ability of heifers (Mourits et al., 1997; Tozer, 2000; Tozer and Heinrichs, 2001). In 2000 the first calving of Italian Friesian heifers was at 29.2 months on average, while in 1986 it was at 30.6 months, with a very slight improvement of 40 days in 15 years (AIA, 2001)....

Keywords

• heifer, growth, body weight, management