Flashcards: Heifer Development and Nutrition Strategies — 20 cards

Heifer development stages — definition?

From birth to calving, with specific growth and management phases.

Weaning to breeding — focus?

Achieving proper body size and reproductive readiness.

Breeding to calving — goal?

Support growth and prepare heifer for first calving at 2 years.

Heifer growth targets — at breeding?

Around 60% of mature weight.

Avoid over-conditioning — reason?

Impairs reproduction and future milk production.

Nutritional strategies — post-weaning?

Balance energy, protein, minerals, and water for growth.

Concentrate feeding — age?

6-12 months to support rumen development.

High forage diets — age?

Older than 12 months for maintenance and growth.

Body weight at 1 year — percent?

Approximately 40% of mature weight.

Target weight for first insemination?

360-420 kg.

Dry Matter Intake — definition?

Feed consumed excluding moisture, indicator of health.

DMI as a percentage?

1.8% to 2.6% of body weight.

Water needs — importance?

Supports digestion, temperature regulation, and growth.

Energy sources — in diets?

Carbohydrates and fats for maintenance and growth.

Urea — role?

Nonprotein nitrogen for microbial protein synthesis.

Urea — safe level?

No more than one-third of dietary protein.

Mycotoxin management — strategy?

Feed testing, proper storage, and use of binders.

Colostrum — importance?

Provides passive immunity and nutrients to calves.

Rumen development — stages?

Papillae formation and microbial colonization for fermentation.

Urea adaptation period?

Two weeks to two months for microbial adjustment.