Effects of Housing System on Dairy Heifer Replacement Cost From Birth to Calving: Evaluating Costs of Confinement, Dry-Lot, and Pasture-Based Systems and Their Impact on Total Rearing Investment

Replacement heifer rearing is critical for the future of dairy operations, to improve genetic merit and maintain herd size. A myriad of options exist on how to manage, feed, and ultimately raise replacement heifers. Pasture is perceived to offer optimal welfare and an economical housing system for r...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Anna Hawkins, K. H. Burdine, D. M. Amaral-Phillips, Joao H. C. Costa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-10-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fvets.2020.00625/full