A LifeStart calf feeding schedule increased pre-weaning ADG by 155 g/day, reduced culling rate and increased milk production in first and second lactation.
LifeStart average lifetime daily milk production
Our early LifeStart research has demonstrated that using a LifeStart feeding schedule can significantly reduce the age of heifers at first calving and substantially increase the milk production in the first lactation.
Increasing the lifetime average daily milk production in cows can be achieved by managing the following parameters:
- Reducing the age at first calving
- Increasing the milk production per lactation
- Increasing the number of lactations per cow
LifeStart research carried out more recently shows that:
- Culling rates during the first and second lactation are reduced significantly in heifers reared according to LifeStart principles
- Milk production in the second lactation is also higher in animals fed according to a LifeStart feeding schedule
