Programmes for Profit > LeanGrow heifer

The aim:  To rear fully-developed heifers with maximum lifetime potential at the lowest viable cost

The results:

• More milk – 658 litres/heifer more milk in the first lactation, worth £120/head (ie £7,200/year in 200-cow herd with 30% replacement rate)
• Reduced lameness – 50% lower incidence due to Biotin and zinc, worth £1,500/year in a 200-cow herd
• Earlier calving (if that’s what you’re aiming for) – bring down age at calving to two years and reduce rearing costs by £300/head compared with calving at 30 months (ie saving £18,000/year [this is not a mis-print, the figure really is £18k] in 200-cow herd with 30% replacement rate)
• Heifers to be proud of

The key points:

• Ideally, this programme takes over from Elevator Calf at three months of age, with well-grown heifers already weighing 125kg
• Aim for 820g/day growth rate from three to 10 months of age; any higher than this and you get fat cells being deposited in the developing udder instead of milk-secreting cells
• Feed for lean growth and frame development.  High digestible undegradable protein (DUP) levels from age four months to 10 increases first lactation milk yield by 658 litres/heifer
• Supply correct levels of essential micro-nutrients for growth, readiness for breeding and productive potential

The HST LeanGro programme involves:

• LeanGro, a natural rumen and heifer development package, designed to follow on from NuStart in the calf programme.  Contains the optimum profile for vitamins, minerals and trace elements for skeletal development and hoof growth, together with etheric oils and prebiotic
• Biotin and rumen-protected zinc for foot development and hardened hooves
• High DUP supplied by a unique vegetable protein combination to mimic the benefits of fishmeal
• Three different sources of copper, essential for sex hormones, puberty and reproductive maturity as well as body growth and frame development
• Rumen by-pass selenium and very high vitamin E content to maximise immune function and counteract selenium deficiency in 60% of UK soils (and consequently the forage made from them)

The following are brands of SCA Nutec:  LeanGro, Elevator, NuStart