[1] Wathes, D.C., Pollott, G.F., Johnson, K.F., Richardson, H. and Cooke, J.S. (2014) Heifer Fertility and Carry over Consequences for Life Time Production in Dairy and Beef Cattle. Animal, 8, 91-104.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1751731114000755
[2] Brickell, J.S., McGowan, M.M., Pfeiffer, D.U. and Wathes, D.C. (2009) Mortality in Holstein-Friesian Calves and Replacement Heifers in Relation to Body Weight and IGF-I Concentration, on 19 Farms in England. Animal, 3, 1175- 1182.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S175173110900456X
[3] Owens, F.N., Dubeski, P. and Hanson, C.F. (1993) Factors That Alter the Growth and Development of Ruminants. Journal of Animal Science, 71, 3138-3150.
[4] Le Cozler, Y., Peyraud, J.L. and Troccon, J.L. (2009) Effect of Feeding Regime, Growth Intensity and Age at First Insemination on Performances and Longevity of Holstein Heifers Born during Autumn. Livestock Science, 124, 72-81.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2008.12.011
[5] Desjardins, C. and Hafs, H.D. (1969) Maturation of Bovine Female Genitalia from Puberty through Puberty. Journal of Animal Science, 28, 502-508.
[6] Meyer, M.J., Capuco, A.V., Ross, D.A., Lintault, L.M. and Van Amburgh, M.E. (2006) Developmental and Nutritional Regulation of the Prepubertal Bovine Mammary Gland: II. Epithelial Cell Proliferation, Parenchymal Accretion Rate, and Allometric Growth. Journal of Dairy Science, 89, 4298-4304.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72476-6
[7] Moallem, U., Werner, D., Lehrer, H., Zachut, M., Livshitz, L., Yakoby, S. and Shamay, A. (2010) Long-Term Effects of ad Libitum Whole Milk Prior to Weaning and Prepubertal Protein Supplementation on Skeletal Growth Rate and First-Lactation Milk Production. Journal of Dairy Science, 93, 2639-2650.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-3007
[8] Khan, M.A., Weary, D.M. and von Keyserlingk, M.A.G. (2011) Hay Intake Improves Performance and Rumen Development of Calves Fed Higher Quantities of Milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 94, 3547-3553.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3871
[9] Sejrsen, K. and Purup, S. (1997) Influence of Prepubertal Feeding Level on Milk Yield Potential of Dairy Heifers: A Review. Journal of Dairy Science, 75, 828-835.
[10] Sejrsen, K., Purup, S., Vestergaard, M. and Foldager, J. (2000) High Body Weight Gain and Reduced Bovine Mammary Growth: Physiological Basis and Implications for Milk Yield Potential. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 19, 93-104.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0739-7240(00)00070-9
[11] Zanton, G.I. and Heinrichs, A.J. (2005) Meta-Analysis to Assess Effects of Prepubertal Average Daily Gain of Holstein Heifers on First-Lactation Production. Journal of Dairy Science, 88, 3860-3867.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(05)73071-X
[12] Margerison, J. and Downey, N. (2005) Guidelines for Optimal Dairy Heifer Rearing and Herd Performance. In: Garnsworthy, P.C., Ed., Calf and Heifer Rearing: Principles of Rearing the Modern Dairy Heifer from Calf to Calving, Nottingham University Press, Nottingham, 307-338.
[13] Bach, A. and Ahedo, J. (2008) Record Keeping and Economics of Dairy Heifers. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 24, 117-138.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2007.10.001
[14] Moran, C., Quirke, J.F. and Roche, J.F. (1989) Puberty in Heifers: A Review. Animal Reproduction Science, 18, 167-182.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-4320(89)90019-5
[15] Brickell, J.S., Bourne, N., McGowan, M.M. and Wathes, D.C. (2009) Effect of Growth and Development during the Rearing Period on the Subsequent Fertility of Nulliparous Holstein-Friesian Heifers. Theriogenology, 72, 408-416.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.03.015
[16] Kuhn, M.T., Hutchison, J.L. and Wiggans, G.R. (2006) Characterization of Holstein Fertility in the United States. Journal of Dairy Science, 89, 4907-4920.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72541-3
[17] Hultgren, J., Svensson, C., Maizon, D.O. and Oltenacu, P.A. (2008) Rearing Conditions, Morbidity and Breeding Performance in Dairy Heifers in Southwest Sweden. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 87, 244-260.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2008.04.003
[18] Stevenson, J.S., Smith, M.W., Jaeger, J.R., Corah, L.R. and LeFever, D.G. (1996) Detection of Estrus by Visual Observation and Radiotelemetry in Peripubertal Estrus-Synchronized Beef Heifers. Journal of Animal Science, 74, 739-735.
[19] Mallory, D.A., Nash, J.M., Ellersieck, M.R., Smith, M.F. and Patterson, D.J. (2011) Comparison of Long-Term Progestin-Based Protocols to Synchronize Estrus before Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination in Beef Heifers. Journal of Animal Science, 89, 1358-1365.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas.2010-3694
[20] Mallory, D.A., Lock, S.L., Woods, D.C., Poock, S.E. and Patterson, D.J. (2013) Comparison of Sex-Sorted and Conventional Semen within a Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination Protocol Designed for Dairy Heifers. Journal of Dairy Science, 96, 854-856.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-5850
[21] Seidel, G.E. (2014) Update on Sexed Semen Technology in Cattle. Animal, 8, 160-164.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1751731114000202
[22] Coop, R.L. and Holmes, P.H. (1996) Nutrition and Parasite Infection. International Journal for Parasitology, 26, 951-962.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7519(96)80070-1
[23] Forbes, A.B., Huckle, C.A., Gibb, M.J., Rook, A.J. and Nuthall, R. (2000) Evaluation of the Effects of Nematode Parasitism on Grazing Behaviour, Herbage Intake and Growth in Young Grazing Cattle. Veterinary Parasitology, 90, 111-118.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4017(00)00218-1
[24] Elsener, J., Villeneuve, A. and Côteaux, D. (2001) Evaluation of a Strategic Deworming Program in Dairy Heifers in Quebec Based on the Use of Moxidectin, an Endectocide with a Long Persistency. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 42, 38-44.
[25] Boulton, A.C., Rushton, J. and Wathes, D.C. (2015) A Study of Dairy Heifer Rearing Practices from Birth to Weaning and Their Associated Costs on UK Dairy Farms. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 5, 185-197.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2015.52021
[26] Vasseur, E., Rushen, J., de Passillé, A.M., Lefebvre, D. and Pellerin, D. (2010) A Canadian Intervention Strategy to Encourage Changes in Calves and Heifers Management to Improve Welfare in Dairy Farms. Journal of Dairy Science, 93, 4414-4426.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2586
[27] Jousan, F.D., Drost, M. and Hansen, P.J. (2005) Factors Associated with Early and Mid-to-Late Fetal Loss in Lactating and Non-Lactating Holstein Cattle in a Hot Climate. Journal of Animal Science, 83, 1017-1022.
[28] Agro Business Consultants Ltd. (2013) The Agricultural Budgeting and Costing Book. Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
[29] DairyCo. (2011) Grassland Management Improvement Programme. Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
[30] DairyCo. (2012) PD+ Managing Heifer Rearing.
http://www.dairyco.org.uk/resources-library/technical-information/fertility/pdplus-section-10-managing-heifer-rearing/#.UxTkmON_slI
[31] Healy, A.A., House, J.K. and Thomson, P.C. (2013) Artificial Insemination Field Data on the Use of Sexed and Conventional Semen in Nulliparous Holstein Heifers. Journal of Dairy Science, 96, 1905-1914.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-5465
[32] Dohoo, I., Martin, W. and Stryhn, H. (2009) Veterinary Epidemiologic Research. VER Inc., Prince Edward Island.
[33] Bach, A. (2011) Associations between Several Aspects of Heifer Development and Dairy Cow Survivability to Second Lactation. Journal of Dairy Science, 94, 1052-1057.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3633
[34] Evans, R.D., Wallace, M., Shalloo, L., Garrick, D.J. and Dillon, P. (2006) Financial Implications of Recent Declines in Reproduction and Survival of Holstein Friesian Cows in Spring-Calving Irish Dairy Herds. Agricultural Systems, 89, 165-183.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2005.08.008
[35] Gasser, C.L. (2013) Joint Alpharma-Beef Species Symposium: Considerations on Puberty in Replacement Beef Heifers. Journal of Animal Science, 91, 1336-1340.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-6008
[36] Brickell, J.S. and Wathes, D.C. (2011) A Descriptive Study of the Survival of Holstein-Friesian Heifers through to Third Calving on English Dairy Farms. Journal of Dairy Science, 94, 1831-1838.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3710
[37] Van Amburgh, M.E., Soberon, F., Karzses, J. and Everett, R.W. (2011) Taking the Long View: Treat Them Nice as Babies and They Will Be Better Adults. Proceedings of Western Dairy Management Conference, Reno, 9-11 March 2011, 141-157.
[38] Correa, M.T., Curtis, C.R., Erb, H.N. and White, M.E. (1988) Effect of Calfhood Morbidity on Age at First Calving in New York Holstein Herds. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 6, 253-262.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0167-5877(88)90037-2
[39] Heinrichs, A.J., Jones, C.M., Gray, S.M., Heinrichs, P.A., Cornelisse, S.A. and Goodling, R.C. (2013) Identifying Efficient Dairy Heifer Producers Using Production Costs and Data Envelopment Analysis. Journal of Dairy Science, 96, 1-8.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-6488
[40] Department of Agriculture and Rural Development North Ireland (DARDNI) (2014) Farm Business Data 2014.
http://www.dardni.gov.uk/farm_business_data_2014.pdf
[41] Gabler, M.T., Tozer, P.R. and Heinrichs, A.J. (2000) Development of a Cost Analysis Spreadsheet for Calculating the Costs to Raise a Replacement Dairy Heifer. Journal of Dairy Science, 83, 1104-1109.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(00)74975-7
[42] Hansen, M. (2004) Quantitative Genetic Analysis of Mortality in Danish Holstein Calves. Ph.D. Dissertation, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg.
[43] Cooke, J.S., Cheng, Z., Bourne, N.E. and Wathes, D.C. (2013) Associations between Growth Rates, Age at First Calving and Subsequent Fertility, Milk Production and Survival in Holstein-Friesian Heifers. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 3, 1-12.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2013.31001
[44] Promar International (2011) What Are Heifer Replacements Really Costing You?
http://www.milkminder.co.uk/news/Heifer%20costs.PDF
[45] De Vries, A., Overton, M., Fetrow, J., Leslie, K., Eicker, S. and Rogers, G. (2008) Exploring the Impact of Sexed Semen on the Structure of the Dairy Industry. Journal of Dairy Science, 91, 847-856.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2007-0536
[46] Schuenemann, G.M., Nieto, I., Bas, S., Galvão, K.N. and Workman, J. (2011) Assessment of Calving Progress and Reference Times for Obstetric Intervention during Dystocia in Holstein Dairy Cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 94, 5494-5501.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2011-4436