Aspects of heifer management which limit productivity on dairy farms in Western Australia: a survey

Abstract

In 1989, a survey of 53 producers from the major dairy areas of the south-west of Western Australia was conducted to determine current management practices for dairy heifers and to identify of areas of heifer management which could be improved to increase overall farm productivity. Total farm size averaged 220 ha, with an average market milk quota of 699 L/day (50% of total milk produced). One-third of producers described their farm activity as dairying only. Some 116 calves were born per farm, with a year-round calving distribution. Calves were fed 5.4 L whole milk/day, with an average age at weaning of 13 weeks (range 5-26 weeks). Mortality recorded to 3 months of age was 4% and the most important health problem associated with calf rearing was scours. Of those properties with a health problem, 25% used antibiotics on a regular basis. All producers provided supplementary feed pre-weaning. In the period between weaning and mating, more than half the producers ran heifers on paddocks 3-80 km distant from the main farm, with hay the most common form of supplementary feed. Most dairy heifers were naturally mated to Hereford, Friesian, or Angus sires; hence, few heifers from first calvers were kept as dairy replacements. Average age at first calving was reported to be 30 months, with 1 in 9 heifers culled post-calving, generally for low milk production. The survey highlighted several aspects of heifer management with the potential to improve overall productivity of dairy farms in Western Australia. They include earlier weaning, strategic use of antibiotics to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance, greater use of artificial insemination, and a reduction in age at first calving.