There are a maximum of 80 heifers in this group and they are all soon to be in their first lactation. The grouping of heifers together allows for equal sized animals to live together and reduces the impact on hierarchy or any bullying that could take place by mixing with bigger, older cows. But for the benefit of the heifers, there may be a few older, calm cows in this group to provide a calming effect fro the heifers, as these older cows also seek a quieter environment.
The heifer Total Mixed ration (TMR) diet has a higher protein level than the main herd diet because the heifers are at 90% of their adult weight, but they still need to grow whilst producing milk and get back in calf after the voluntary wait period of 50 days, for them to have continual successful lactations.
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