Accelerated Growth and Early Breeding of Holstein Heifers

Abstract

Twenty-four Holstein heifers were fed grain and alfalfa hay ad libitum for accelerated growth from 91 kg body weight until verification of pregnancy (Treatment A). Grain then was deleted until near time of freshening. They were bred at second estrus if they weighed at least 305 kg. An additional 24 heifers were fed a conventional roughage ration to allow a growth rate corresponding to the Beltsville growth standard and were bred when 15 to 16 mo of age (Treatment S). Observations were of growth rate, reproductive and productive performance, and length of herd life under normal culling.