REARING OF HOLSTEIN HEIFERS IN THE CONDITIONS OF LLC “EKONIVAAGRO” IN THE VORONEZH REGION

Abstract

The research on the effectiveness of replacement Holstein heifers rearing was carried out in the conditions of the livestock enterprise LLC “EkoNivaAgro” breeding farm “Vostochnoe”. The enterprise specializes in milk production and rearing of replacement heifers. During the research, a comparative analysis of the rearing of replacement Holstein heifers of the black-and-white breed, which were obtained from cows inseminated with traditional and sexed semen, was carried out, and the following were studied: the technology of the first feeding of colostrum to calves, the housing conditions during the preweaning period, the period of small-group housing and group housing of heifers in pasture enclosures, technology of feeding heifers at different age periods, changes in the height and weight of heifers by life periods. The research has shown that the farm has the ability to intensively raise replacement heifers so that by 12 months they achieve the growth and development characteristics, which are necessary for the first artificial insemination. The first feeding of calves with high-density colostrum (more than 1,028 g/ml) in the first 60 minutes after calving allows newborn calves to be provided with immunoglobulins in the blood in the required amount (at least 5,5 mmol/l) before the formation of their own antibodies. The average daily gain of heifers during the preweaning period was about 800 grams per day, for the entire growing period – about 840 grams per day. Correct and rapid development of heifers, well-timed achievement of height and weight for insemination at 12 months allows early first calving at 21 months of age and ensures maximum productivity and good health of animals in the future after the first calving.