Introduction
Ensuring the optimal growth and development of dairy heifers is crucial for long-term productivity and profitability in dairy farming. Recent advancements in the field of epigenetics have shown that early-life nutrition and management practices can profoundly impact the health and performance of dairy cattle throughout their lives. This article explores the role of epigenetics in dairy heifer development, the significance of growth rates in the first 12 weeks, and how Precision Microbes can be a vital investment for enhancing calf health and performance.
Understanding Epigenetics in Dairy Heifers
Epigenetics involves changes in gene expression that do not alter the DNA sequence but are influenced by environmental factors such as nutrition. These changes can have lasting effects on an animal’s growth, health, and productivity. In dairy heifers, epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNAs play critical roles in regulating gene expression related to milk production, immune function, and metabolic health.
The Importance of Early Growth Rates
Research indicates that better growth rates in the first 12 weeks of a calf’s life lead to improved lifetime performance. For instance, achieving an additional 100 grams per day in growth during this critical period can significantly enhance a heifer’s future milk production and overall health(studies referenced later). This improvement in growth rate not only supports optimal development but also reduces the age at first calving, leading to earlier milk production and greater lifetime yield.
“Across eight farm trials in 2022/23 I seen increases in average daily gain between treatment (Precision Microbes) and control groups. This figure can vary farm to farm due to different factors on each farm. A farm example is given below.
While it is great to see improvements in ADG in the short term but also impacting better lifetime performance in these heifers. They were on 30mls/day program from birth to weaning. In every farm the significant differences were all seen in the 3/4 weeks before weaning”
Tommy Heffernan Veterinary consultant
Practical Implications of a 100g/day Growth Difference
A seemingly small increase in average daily gain per day in growth can have substantial long-term benefits:
- Increased Milk Yield: Studies have shown that faster-growing heifers tend to produce more milk during their lactation periods. This is linked to better mammary gland development and overall body condition.
- Enhanced Fertility: Improved growth rates can lead to earlier puberty and better reproductive performance, reducing the interval between calving and increasing the number of lactations over a heifer’s lifetime.
- Better Health Outcomes: Rapid growth supported by proper nutrition and management reduces the likelihood of metabolic disorders and improves immune function, leading to healthier and more resilient cattle.
The Role of Precision Microbes
Precision Microbes offers a unique liquid formulation of probiotics and postbiotics designed to support calf gut health and overall development. Administering 30 mL of Precision Microbes daily through milk from birth to weaning can provide the following benefits:
- Enhanced Gut Health: Probiotics help establish and maintain a healthy gut microbiome, crucial for nutrient absorption and immune function.
- Improved Growth and Performance: By supporting digestive health, Precision Microbes promotes better feed efficiency and growth rates, contributing to the long-term productivity of dairy heifers.
- Strengthened Immune System: The postbiotics in Precision Microbes include bioactive compounds that enhance the immune response, reducing the incidence of illnesses and improving overall calf health.
Investing in the early health and growth of dairy heifers through optimized nutrition and the use of advanced supplements like Precision Microbes can yield significant long-term benefits. By leveraging the principles of epigenetics, farmers can enhance the performance and productivity of their herds, ensuring a more sustainable and profitable dairy operation.
For more detailed information and to start investing in the future of your dairy heifers, visit the Precision Microbes website or contact us directly. Your calves deserve the best start in life, and Precision Microbes is here to help make that happen.
CALF TRIAL2022
In 2022 I took two groups of calves in a busy spring based dairy herd. They were calving close to 60 cows first week of February. We created two pens all HF dairy calves close in weight. They were put on 3 litres of whole milk twice daily and treated the exact same way. We took weights at four points. The only thing we focused on in this early trial was ADG.
Like all other trials we seen the biggest difference in weight gain in the last four weeks. This was also seen by WIT student Tara Kinsella in her independent calf trial
https://www.precisionmicrobes.com/massive-benefits-of-precision-microbes-to-adgs-in-calves/
My calf trail data
| Calf ID | Group | Week 0 | Week 4 | Week 8 | Week 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Control | 38.5 | 56.2 | 73.7 | 92.1 |
| 2 | Control | 35.6 | 53.0 | 71.4 | 89.9 |
| 3 | Control | 36.9 | 55.6 | 74.2 | 92.8 |
| 4 | Control | 40.3 | 58.4 | 76.6 | 95.1 |
| 5 | Control | 39.5 | 58.1 | 76.4 | 94.8 |
| 6 | Control | 35.2 | 53.7 | 72.2 | 90.6 |
| 7 | Control | 37.1 | 54.9 | 72.7 | 91.5 |
| 8 | Control | 38.9 | 57.0 | 75.0 | 93.1 |
| 9 | Control | 36.3 | 54.4 | 72.9 | 91.3 |
| 10 | Control | 37.7 | 55.8 | 74.3 | 92.7 |
| 1 | Treatment | 36.1 | 56.3 | 76.6 | 97.2 |
| 2 | Treatment | 38.6 | 58.6 | 79.0 | 99.6 |
| 3 | Treatment | 37.4 | 57.3 | 77.6 | 98.2 |
| 4 | Treatment | 39.1 | 59.1 | 79.5 | 100.2 |
| 5 | Treatment | 34.7 | 54.7 | 75.1 | 95.7 |
| 6 | Treatment | 35.9 | 56.1 | 76.5 | 97.1 |
| 7 | Treatment | 39.8 | 60.1 | 80.6 | 101.3 |
| 8 | Treatment | 40.6 | 60.9 | 81.5 | 102.2 |
| 9 | Treatment | 37.3 | 57.2 | 77.5 | 98.1 |
| 10 | Treatment | 38.4 | 58.3 | 78.8 | 99.4 |
| Avg ADG Diff | 0.04 | 0.093 | 0.123 |
Calves weighed after birth in the first 48 hours were grouped with similar weights to start the trial. All calves were HF mix of bulls and heifers.
All calves were weaned the week before weights, and Precision Microbe was fed through meal up to the point of weighing in the treatment group. So, all treatment calves got 30mls of Precision Microbes for 30 days.
Average difference over the 12 weeks 85g/day will make a huge difference to live time performance.
Summary and Key Findings from Soberon et al. (2012) on Preweaning Milk Replacer Intake and Long-term Productivity of Dairy Calves
Study Overview: The study conducted by Soberon et al. (2012) focuses on the relationship between nutrient intake from milk replacer during the preweaning period and its effects on the long-term productivity of dairy calves. The research was carried out on the Cornell University dairy herd and a commercial dairy farm, involving a total of 1,244 records from Cornell and 624 records from the commercial farm.
Key Findings:
- Preweaning Nutrient Intake and Growth:
- Increased nutrient intake from milk replacer during the preweaning period was found to significantly influence the growth rates of calves.
- The study observed that higher average daily gains (ADG) before weaning were positively correlated with higher milk yields in subsequent lactations.
- Impact on First-lactation Milk Yield:
- In the Cornell herd, for every additional kilogram of preweaning ADG, heifers produced 850 kg more milk during their first lactation.
- In the commercial herd, the effect was even more pronounced, with each kilogram of preweaning ADG leading to an increase of 1,114 kg of milk in the first lactation.
- Long-term Milk Production:
- The analysis extended to multiple lactations, indicating that increased preweaning growth rates had lasting effects on milk production.
- Across both herds, preweaning ADG accounted for 22% of the variation in first-lactation milk yield.
- The cumulative effect was significant, with the Cornell herd showing an increase of 2,280 kg of milk over three lactations for every additional kilogram of preweaning ADG.
- Energy Intake Above Maintenance:
- For every megacalorie (Mcal) of metabolizable energy intake above maintenance, calves produced an additional 235 kg of milk in their first lactation.
- This effect was consistent across multiple lactations, emphasizing the importance of adequate energy intake during the early stages of life.
- Environmental and Management Factors:
- Factors such as ambient temperature at birth and season of birth were found to influence growth rates and subsequent milk production.
- Calves born during colder months required higher energy intakes to maintain growth rates, which in turn affected their future milk yields.
- Health and Management Practices:
- The study also noted the impact of health issues such as diarrheoa and antibiotic treatment on growth rates and milk production.
- Calves that received antibiotics produced less milk, highlighting the importance of maintaining good health and minimizing stress during the preweaning period.
Conclusion: The study concludes that early life nutrition plays a crucial role in determining the lifetime productivity of dairy heifers. Enhanced preweaning growth through increased nutrient intake can lead to significant improvements in milk production, both in the first lactation and over the lifetime of the cow. This underscores the value of investing in high-quality milk replacers and effective calf management practices to optimize growth and productivity.
References: Soberon, F., Raffrenato, E., Everett, R. W., & Van Amburgh, M. E. (2012). Preweaning milk replacer intake and effects on long-term productivity of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(2), 783-793. doi: 10.3168/jds.2011-4391