Calving Heifers Younger

Improving Heat Rates from 40% to 60% accompanied by $56 reduction in rearing costs

Extending age at first calving adds significant cost to a dairy enterprise. That should come as no surprise to most producers. Still, how much does it cost? That’s what Virginia Tech researchers set out to determine.

Few producers plan to have significant numbers of heifers nearing the 30 month of age mark at first calving and yet it happens regularly. Usually it is a lack of observed heats that creates the scenario in combination with multiple breedings Using a computer simulation model, Dr. Greg Bethard, of Virginia Tech, demonstrated the effects of heat detection efficiency in replacements based on economic analysis. Three heat detection rates (40, 50, 60%) at each of three conception rates (40, 60, 80%) were studied.

Across all conception rates, improving heat detection efficiency from 40 to 50% reduced the total rearing costs by $39.72, with an additional $16.22 reduction when moving from a 50 to a 60% heat detection efficiency. These numbers clearly illustrate that heat detection efficiency is proportionately more costly at lower heat rates. Adding the two numbers emphasizes the costs of poor heat detection. $55.94 can be saved in rearing costs when improving heat detection from 40 to 60%.

Remember that when average age at first calving increases, your heifer inventory begins to balloon. It puts more pressure on your heifer facilities too, but most importantly, it can throw a wrench into expansion plans that are based on internal growth. It makes economic sense to have those heifers become productive members of the herd as quickly as possible. A solid heat detection plan will help you get there.

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Posted Oct 10th

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