Feeding Dairy Heifers from Weaning to Calving1

Introduction
Growth Goals after Weaning
ANS01-203D
Feeding Dairy Heifers from Weaning to Calving 1
Dr. Brinton A. Hopkins and Dr. Lon W. Whitlow
Dairy Nutrition Extension Specialists

Table 1. Target body weight and wither height goals for Holstein and Jersey heifers
at breeding and post-calving.
Breed and Stage Age Body Weight Wither Height
(months) (pounds) (inches)
Holstein
Breeding 13-15 800-900 50
Post-calving 22-24 1,200-1,300 54
Jersey
Breeding 13-15 530-600 45
Post-calving 22-24 850-900 49
Feed Enough Protein
Table 2. Minimum daily nutrient requirements of Holstein heifers for 1.8 pounds of
average daily gain. 1
Body Weight Dry Matter Intake Crude Protein Net Energy
(lb) (lb) (%) (Mcal/lb)
200 6.5 16.3 .72
400 10.8 16.3 .70
500 12.9 14.3 .68
800 20.0 12.2 .64
1,000 25.6 12.2 .61
1,200 32.3 12.2 .58
1 Source: DART Ration Program 5.1.
Table 3. Minimum daily nutrient requirements of Jersey heifers for 1.3 pounds of
average daily gain. 1
Body Weight Dry Matter Intake Crude Protein Net Energy
(lb) (lb) (%) (Mcal/lb)
200 5.8 16.3 .72
400 9.4 14.3 .70
500 11.2 14.3 .68
800 17.3 12.2 .64
1,000 22.2 12.2 .61
1 Source: DART Ration Program 5.1.

Feed Additives
Post-Weaning Slump
Use By-product Feeds
Table 4. Formula for a self-fed TMR for post-weaned heifers 2 to 6 months old.
Nutrient analysis on a dry matter basis:
16% crude protein; 76% TDN; .66% calcium; .42% phosphorus; Ca:P ratio 1.6:1
Ingredient Pounds Per Ton
Ground corn grain 986
Cottonseed hulls 600
Soybean meal - 48% 369
Calcitic limestone 18
Tricalcium phosphate 10
Plain white salt 10
Bovatec® or Rumensin® *
Vitamin-trace mineral premix *
* = Add according to manufacturer’s directions.

Supplement Grazed Forages
Recommendations