Characterization of heifer rearing costs and their association with farm factors of Québec Holstein dairy farms

Although raising heifers is an important investment for dairy farms, heifer rearing costs and their contributing factors are rarely assessed. The objective of the study was to quantify and characterize the cost of raising replacement Holstein heifers from birth to calving and per growing phases, and to identify the management practices associated with the lowest rearing cost. This analysis was conducted using rearing practices and the related costs from 87 conventional Holstein dairy farms in Québec, Canada. Data were collected directly from the farm and their financial management services. The average total cost was calculated to be $4870 ± 757 CAD heifer −1 with a great variation throughout the growing phases. In particular, the period from weaning to 12 months had the most advantageous cost of gain. A cluster analysis by total rearing cost revealed that farms in the Low rearing cost cluster ($4145 CAD heifer −1 ; P < 0.001) had better labor organization and optimized feed costs, leading to raising heifers at lower cost without negative impact on growth performances nor maturity at first breeding and maturity at first calving. By identifying key factors that influence rearing cost, the findings can help dairy producers to improve economic sustainability and enhance profitability.