Pre-weaning period key to rearing sustainable replacement heifers

Achieving optimal efficiency in the pre-weaning period is key to reducing heifer rearing costs and improving herd sustainability

Katie Fallon
Livestock Specialist
clock • 6 min read
Rearing replacement heifers represents 20% of the total production costs within a dairy enterprise.
Image:

Rearing replacement heifers represents 20% of the total production costs within a dairy enterprise.

At a recent open day held at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) Hillsborough site, dairy youngstock research scientist, Gillian Scoley, discussed making the most of the pre-weaning period to...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Dairy

Why feeding method is important for calves: The role of the oesophageal groove

Why feeding method is important for calves: The role of the oesophageal groove

Getting colostrum into calves quickly is crucial but getting it to the right place is what counts

clock 13 June 2026 • 4 min read
Milking herd hits record low as 190 producers exit dairy sector

Milking herd hits record low as 190 producers exit dairy sector

Latest AHDB milk buyers' survey says favourable cull cow prices and input costs have 'incentivised' people to shift focus

Jane Thynne
clock 12 June 2026 • 2 min read
Tradition drives success of Royal Highland Show award-winning Errington Cheese

Tradition drives success of Royal Highland Show award-winning Errington Cheese

Errington Cheese won three gold awards at last year's Royal Highland Show, with 'Blackmount', a goats' milk lactic cheese, going on to lift the overall dairy produce title. This year, they are heading back to Islington hoping to pick up more silverware

Lynsey Clark
clock 11 June 2026 • 6 min read