Heifer-rearing for the future of beef and dairy herds

Animals need to be regularly monitored throughout the rearing period to ensure targets are achieved, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Successful heifer rearing requires attention to detail.

The 2024 crop of calves are not too long on the ground, yet decisions about their management right now will determine the future of your herd significantly. Rearing heifers for replacements is a very important element of dairy and suckler farm management. 

In the dairy herd, most will retain their own heifers and will have made important breeding decisions last year to produce their future cow.