Nutrition and management of replacement cattle

Healthy, productive herd replacements are the result of good management before the calves are conceived and continue to the time when they enter the milking herd. Accurate records must be kept so a sound breeding program can be followed. The total process ensures that genetically superior animals will enter the herd. Once calves are born, the manager must make sure they will have a healthy environment with proper facilities, water, high quality feeds, daily observations, and health care. This kind of attention should extend beyond the baby calves. A carefully managed, well planned facility enables dairy farmers to efficiently use their time and labor while rearing healthy replacements that freshen at 24 months of age.