CANDICE DE JONGH’S TOP TIPS FOR RAISING HEIFERS

Raising heifers takes special skill and knowledge. The following require particular attention:

• Minimise stress by using good management. Only trained, reliable staff who enjoy and take an interest in calves should perform calf chores. • When more than one person feeds the calves, it is vital that all communication is clear and everyone follows the same routines.

• Plan ahead and prepare thoroughly before the calves arrive at the shed or camps.

• Select heifers that will grow well. • Use shelter effectively to protect the calves from inclement weather, while minimising the risk of diseases. • Use the right feed balance at the right time for maximum benefit. • Start preparing the calves for the dairy-feeding system early by teaching them to graze down well. Ensure that the younger heifers learn how to graze by placing them on the pasture with the older ones.

• Keep live weight gain as high as economically possible up to and past weaning.

• Implement a prevention, detection and treatment programme for internal parasites and disease.

ABOVE: Candice de Jongh and her husband Coenraad have established a calf vaccination schedule in response to the specific diseases in the area ( see table for more information).