UNIVERSITY PARK - To meet the goal of raising well-grown heifers that freshen by 24 months, a farmer cannot afford the set backs in growth that occur when heifers are left to fend for them selves in far-off, forgotten pastures, says a Penn State assistant professor of dairy and animal science. All too often, summer-time heifer management involves merely counting the heifers once a week to be sure they’re all there, according to A.J. Heinrichs. Pastures can be used very suc cessfully for heifers provided that they are checked daily and con cern is given towards feed, fly control and parasites. Heifers less than six months of age are usually better off to be kept in the bam, Heinrichs says. The digestive system of these young calves is not fully developed to handle high forage diets. These animals rely on getting most of their nutrients from grain. Also, Heinrichs adds, young heifers tend to suffer more from heat, com petition from other heifers and parasites. Dairy heifers that are 6- to 12- months-old can grow very suc cessfully on pasture provided that they are supplemented with four to six pounds of good quality, 16 to 18 percent dairy ration throughout the pasture season. Heifers that are over 12 months of age will do well on good quality pasture alone in early summer. However, it is important to realize that as pasture quality declines during mid to late summer, heifer growth rates also decline, From First Mow To Final Bale, KMN Makes Harvest-Time Easier. Contact Your Local Dealer For A Demonstration And Closer Look You 9 1l Like What You See. ISSST TODD FARM EQUIPMENT, INC. CHESAPEAKE, VA. HAGERSTOWN, MD. (804) 543-2071 (301) 791-0422 Heifer management critical when pasturing Heinrichs says. Normal growth rates can be maintained if hay or silage is provided free-choice to heifers on pasture. Also some grain should be provided depen ding on the quality of these sup plemental forages. All heifers should have adequate shade and free access to good quality, clean water, Heinrichs adds. Ponds and streams which look good in spring may become stagnant or dried up in late summer. Fly and parasite problems can also stress pastured heifers to the extent that growth rates are reduced, Heinrichs says. Parasite problems are likely to occur during Heifer management headlines twi-light meeting GETTYSBURG Practice in “If milk replacers are fed, be judging dairy cows, a tour of the sure they are of high quality to bams and milking facilities and a supply adequate amounts of review of recommended practices energy. This is especially im for the feeding and care of dairy portant in winter,” Stoner said, calves and heifers were features of Stoner emphasized the im the twi-light meeting co-sponsored portance of housing calves by the Adams County Holstein separately from adult animals and Association and the Penn State following a regular worming Cooperative Extension Service schedule. Treatment for coc- June 21, at the John Hess farm, cidiosis should be included on Gettysburg. larger farms. Bull calves should be Outlining sound health measures separated from heifers at six for young dairy stock, Dr. Jesso- months of age to avoid unplanned Stoner, veterinarian from New breeding, Stoner added. Oxford (recently re-located to the A slide-illustrated program on Duffield area in Franklin County) “Management of Dairy Herd warned the dairymen that nipple Replacements” was presented by feeding frequently leads to county agent Thomas E. Piper. He aspirating when worn nipples are reminded the dairymen that the used. This causes pneumonia. He USDA Food Safety Inspection urged the weaning to bucket Service on June 4, instituted two feeling as soon as possible. new regulatory efforts affecting a heifer’s first season on pasture. Animals that have not previously been exposed to parasites have little to no resistance to digestive tract parasites. Parasite eggs overwinter on pastures in the northeast. These eggs hatch into larvae under warm, moist conditions in spring weather. Heifers can become heavily parasitized by early to mid-summer. When this occurs, heifers grow slower because they are less feed efficient. They also may develop diarrhea causing them to become anemic. To avoid the build-up of parasites in heifers on pasture, Heinrich suggests rotating • Simple Design • Rugged Construction • Important Details That’s what Krone mowers and balers, Niemeyer tedders and rakes all from KMN have in common. And that’s what makes them easy to operate, amazingly efficient, and so dependable you’ll wonder how you ever got along without them. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Juna 30,1084—A17 pastures and avoid overgrazing pastures. Worming at three and six weeks after turnout on pasture will greatly reduce the degree of parasitism, he adds. Pinkeye can also be a problem to heifers during the summer when on pasture. Fly control is im portant with this infection. Af fected heifers should be brought indoors for treatment and confined out of direct sunlight until the condition is cured, Heinrichs says. Further items that are often overlooked with heifers while on pasture are salt and minerals. Trace mineral salt should always be available to heifers on pasture. Be sure to check that selenium is dairymen. In the first of these dairymen should sign a producer certification for stating that calves to be slaughtered within the first three weeks of age have not received drugs. Such calves will be sold separately from uncertified calves. Calves without producer certificates will be subject to a new itensified residue-testing program. Host farmer John Hess took the visitors on tour of the dairy bam he remodeled one year ago in which he milks 24 cows in a Califomia style flat parlor. “This unit provides the efficiency of a Double- Six parlor at one-fourth the cost” Hess said. Hess’ 140-cow herd is housed in a free stall bam, maintained in two production groups and fed a total mixed ration. Special feed ingredients include waste candy livß ATTENTION I, l-ti PORK DO YOU HAVE: 1 Hog Manure Stored In A Pit Within Your Hog Building 2 Pit Gasses Effecting The Health & Pro duction Of Your Hogs 3 Solids Build Up In Your Pits 4 Angry Neighbors When You Haul The P T Manure 5 To Change Clothes And Shower Before Your Wife Lets You Into Your Own House 6. Over Ventilating In Your Barns For Fresh Air Because Of Strong Gasses And Losing Heat. fLet Us Discuss With You The All New E-Z FLUSH LIQUID For Your Pits E-Z Flush is not a bacteria or enzyme E-Z Flush inhibits E-Z FLUSH biological activity in stored swine swtnewaste wastes, thereby stopping pit gas Treatment production. Profram ’ E-Z FLUSH HAS AlOO% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE For Additional « Distributors, Dealer Information, L- 1 Inquiries Invited [FARMER BOY AG. 1 BEST IN Bf SIGN THICT >\NO t\T f RIENC £ present in this salt. The second item that should be available on a free-choice basis is a calcium phosphorus supplement (dical). Research has shown, Heinrichs says, that heifer diets that are low in phosphorus, which can occur on pasture, can delay the onset of estrus in these animals. Pasture, plus some good management, can provide a low cost labor efficient system for handling heifers over six months of age. Maintaining proper growth rates throughout the entire summer requires additional feed and effort but will help result in well-grown, healthy heifers Heinrichs concludes. and wet brewers’ grains to supply lower cost sources of energy and protein. The jugging contest was of ficiated by Billy Joe Heath, Westminster, Md. Jenny Hess and Carol Clowney tied as winners in the youth division; Marvin Brown was first, Carolyn Durboraw second in the adult division. Vo Ag teacher Ron Bower and 4-H leader Alan Zepp tabulated results. Carol Clowney, newly selected Adams County Dairy Princess, expressed appreciation for in dustry support of the Dairy Princess pageant and joined Michael Gitt representing the Pennfield Feed Corporation in serving refreshments to the group. n l(
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