Heifer rearing period is critical for long-term dairy welfare and productivity. Evidence-based management from weaning to first calving builds healthy, welfare-positive cows.
Heifer rearing decisions made during the first 22-24 months of life have lasting consequences for dairy cow welfare and productivity. Poor growth rates, disease episodes, and inadequate social development during rearing create cows that are more susceptible to metabolic disease, mastitis, and lameness during their productive lives. Welfare investment in heifer rearing is thus both intrinsically valuable and predictive of adult cow welfare outcomes.
Social development during heifer rearing is particularly important. Heifers raised in stable social groups from weaning develop appropriate social skills and dominance hierarchies that ease their integration into adult cow groups at first calving. Socially isolated or frequently regrouped heifers show more agonistic behavior and adaptation difficulty when introduced to the milking herd.