The development from newborn calf to healthy heifer plays an important role in the future performance and lifespan of the adult dairy cow. A good start of life is very important and starts even before birth. Nutrition and management in the subsequent milk phase, around weaning, but also in the further development towards the adult dairy cow, will have consequences for growth, feed efficiency, animal health and animal welfare. Attention for heifer rearing therefore shows to be a good investment for the future.
