Dairy heifer grower feed cost per tonne (dairy)
Least-cost cost of a dairy heifer grower (dairy) template formula, re-solved weekly at Feedsoft benchmark prices by market: history, what drove the change, the current mix and the ingredients close to entering it. Replacement heifers, 6–12 months. Grow the frame, not the udder fat.
Nutrient targets (dry matter): NE lactation ≥ 1.35 Mcal/kg, Crude protein 13.5–16 %, Rumen degradable protein ≥ 8.5 %, Neutral detergent fiber 35–55 %, Acid detergent fiber ≥ 22 %, Calcium 0.45–0.8 %, Phosphorus (total) 0.25–0.4 %, Sodium 0.12–0.3 %, Sulfur 0.16–0.32 %.
Ingredients allowed: Corn silage (35% DM) 10–45%, Grass hay 5–35%, Alfalfa hay (mid-bloom) 0–15%, Soybean hulls 0–12%, Corn grain 0–20%, Soybean meal 48% 0–12%, Corn DDGS 0–12%, Cane molasses 0–4%, Feed-grade urea (46% N) 0–0.5%, Limestone 0–1.2%, Dicalcium phosphate 0–0.8%, Salt 0.25–0.5%, Vitamin premix 0.1%, Trace mineral premix 0.1%.