Heather Allan (Mackies) Ltd Regional Winner of the Heifer Rearer of the Year Award 2011
12 September 2011
Heather Allan (Mackies Ltd), Aberdeenshire
What the judges liked
- Attention to detail
- Embracing new technology
- Routine use of colostrometer
- Well designed housing facilities
The first two weeks of a heifer’s life is absolutely critical for its future potential, and colostrum management is central to that strategy, according to Heather Allan “During those first 14 days, the calf is at its most vulnerable to picking up disease,” she says.
“We leave a calf with her dam for up to 12 hours, before introducing her to accommodation in individual pens. I bottle feed her dam’s colostrum – up to two litres fed twice daily for the first two days. All colostrum is quality tested in advance with a colostrometer, and any surplus and of high quality is frozen in two litre packs. It is used in particular for feeding to heifers’ calves,” says Heather who manages the young stock at Westertown, Rothienorman, Inverurie, a 400 cow mixed breeds unit – Holsteins, Jerseys, Swedish and Norwegian Reds, averaging 7,800 litres and milked through robotic stations.
Each calf is introduced to a milk replacer, again from teated buckets, and that is specially formulated for fast frame growth with very high levels of pure dairy protein, lactose and a specially selected blend of vegetable oils. At two weeks of age they are relocated to straw bedded housing for up to 20 calves per group. The system features a computerised feeding system offering the same formulation and fed at up to six litres per day according to breed of calf.
“We introduced the system three years ago, and it has brought huge all round benefits. The calves no longer guzzle their milk so it reduces the opportunity for digestive upsets and being able to gradually wean the Holstein heifers at eight weeks and Jerseys at 12 weeks, prevents any checks. It also makes for much better use of my day. I spend approximately 20 minutes every morning checking the system, to make sure all the calves have drunk their allocated amount in the last 24 hours, and also for drinking speed - I check every calf which has shown any signs of a slower rate, it gives me an early warning something’s not quite right. I’m then more time left to actually observe the calves.”
The unit has adopted a Farm Health Plan agreed with its vet. For the calves it features a full vaccination programme. Heather adds: “Taking every precaution to preventing calves becoming ill enables them to get off to that good start and towards a strong healthy heifer, and a return on investment when they enter the milking herd.”
Neil Laing, Clyde Veterinary Group
The focus on this unit is to give the calves the best possible start in life. Good health prior to weaning sets the framework for the calves to continue to grow into productive, healthy cows.
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