Nearly a fifth of heifers fail to reach second lactation

Research has shown that almost a fifth of milking heifers fail to reach their second lactation – the point at which they would recoup their rearing costs. Researchers at Reading University have found that 17% of milking heifers exit the herd before their second lactation due to a variety of reasons, which vary from farm to farm. They found that decisions made around fertility, feed, health, housing and grouping had significant impacts on their longevity with the herd. Heifers feed more slow