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Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
2004; Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution; no. 05-112-S; Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service); 941; Dairy; Heifers; Growth; Age at first calving
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Reduced Age At First Calving: Effects On Lifetime Production, Longevity, And Profitability (2004), M. J. Meyer, R.W. Everett, Amburgh M.E. Van
Reduced Age At First Calving: Effects On Lifetime Production, Longevity, And Profitability (2004), M. J. Meyer, R.W. Everett, Amburgh M.E. Van
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
The primary advantages of reducing age at first calving (AFC) include reducing rearing costs as well as reducing time in which the heifer is only a capital drain on farm resources. The primary disadvantage of reducing AFC is that it is frequently associated with a reduction in first-lactation milk yield. Despite this reduction in first-lactation milk yield, production per year of herd life is typically increased by reduced AFC. Furthermore, although the first lactation yield may be influenced by AFC, future lactations are decidedly not. In addition, stayability and health of cows are not influenced by reduced AFC as long …