First-calved cows or heifers which have calved at 24 months for the first time need preferential treatment around this time of year as they are still growing animals and need to be treated accordingly.

These animals should be weaned first to allow them regain some condition before housing.

Trying to put on condition indoors will cost more and calving problems can occur when you do this too close to calving.

Where these heifers are very thin (condition score less than 2), they should get 2-3kg of concentrates and good-quality grass to allow them pick up again.

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