Young dairy animals shape the future productivity of every herd. Their successful rearing determines not only the genetic progress of the operation but also its long-term economic sustainability. However, the period from birth to first calving is often viewed as merely a cost center instead of the long-term investment in the future of the herd that it truly is.
It is expensive to raise dairy heifers from birth to their first calving. They do not generate income until their first lactation period. Overfeeding and underfeeding can both drive up costs in different ways. Too much feed puts unnecessary strain on the budget, while too little delays first calving and extends the non-productive period. Focusing solely on short-term expenses when considering early-life management misses the bigger picture because well-managed heifer rearing is one of the most impactful investments a dairy farm can make in terms of future performance and productivity.
The True Cost of Raising Replacements.
Several studies have quantified the cost of raising a dairy heifer from birth to first calving. These costs vary widely depending on the production system, region, and breed. In the United States, the average cost per animal is reported to be $1,803 ± $339. Simulation models estimate the cost to be $1,919 for barn systems, $1,594 for dry-lot systems, and $1,336 for pasture-based systems. In the Netherlands, the cost is approximately €1,790 per heifer. In Brazil, estimates range from $1,821 ± $44 for intermediate systems to $2,006 ± $63 for lower-performing operations. The upper tier averages $1,885 ± $63.
Significant investments are made in calf rearing from birth to weaning, particularly in high-quality milk replacers and starter feeds. These account for roughly 40–50 % of total rearing costs. However, attention often declines around the time of weaning, even though this is a critical transition period that strongly influences long-term health, growth, and future productivity. Inadequate management during this stage can undermine the returns on early investments by compromising the gains achieved during the initial and cost-intensive rearing period.
A Critical Phase: Weaning.
Weaning is one of the most significant yet underestimated milestones in calf rearing. It marks the transition from milk to solid food, which challenges the calf’s digestive, immune, and behavioral systems. Mistakes during this period can undermine months of careful management and lead to long-term consequences.
Between 12 % and 35 % of live-born calves never reach their first calving. Of those that do, 17 % fail to complete a second lactation. Overall, approximately one-third of replacement calves do not contribute positively to herd profitability. Even among surviving animals, nutritional management and weaning practices have long-lasting effects. Consistent underfeeding or abrupt weaning results in cumulative productivity losses across multiple lactations, leading to lifetime milk yield deficits of 800 – 1,500 kg per cow. This corresponds to a 5 – 8 % reduction in total milk yield and shorter herd longevity by about 0.15 years (roughly 55 days).
Pre-Weaning Growth: The Most Economical Growth.
Feed conversion efficiency is highest during the first 2 months of life, typically ranging from 2.0 to 2.5:1 (for milk and starter feed), making early growth the most economical phase of development (Figure 1). When managed properly, the significant investment in milk replacers and starter feeds are worthwhile as they are efficiently converted into growth.
For more information: Biochem – Feed Safety for Food Safety
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