The Farm Day attracted 100 visitors from the entire country.
During the theoretical part visitors were familiarised with the experience of the farm in heifer breeding and the results of the research.
As part of the research, two groups of Limousin breed heifers were set up and similar housing conditions, weighing, evaluation, and measuring of the height at rump conditions were ensured after separation thereof. Coarse fodder was used for feeding one group and coarse fodder together with grains — for feeding the second group. For both groups of heifers feed ration was prepared by considering the qualitative and chemical indicators of coarse fodder and grains. During the rearing period we kept track of the live-weight and also other growing and development indicators.
The objective of this demonstration was to examine the impact of various feeding systems on breeding heifers so that at the age of 16 up to 18 months 70 up to 85 per cent in the herd of heifers would be ready for their first mating or artificial insemination.
The average live-weight of the heifers included in the first group (feed excluding grains) in 480 days or 16 months was 54.4 per cent of the live-weight of an adult cow (mother of the heifer) and the height at rump — 130 cm. The average live-weight of the heifers included in the second group during the same period reached 62.9 per cent of the live-weight of an adult cow (mother of the heifer) and the height at rump — 132 cm. The average live-weight increase in the second group the feed ration of which included grains on average reached 876 grams per day from birth until 16 months of age. The average increase of the live-weight in the group in which the feed ration did not include grains was 745 grams per day.
It is a major responsibility and honour for us to be the farm which was selected for conducting such research — it gives us motivation for further development and growth. Moreover, the knowledge and experience gained are crucial for the future of the farm and for that we must thank the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre in Ozolnieki.
We are thankful for arranging and organising the event to Kuldīga Consultancy Office, employees of the farm and the grill master, owner of Parrilla Venta Normunds and his assistants for the utterly delicious COLUMBUS burgers cooked according to Normunds’ recipe, using beef produced at KOLUMBI.
Thank you to everybody for participation and support!
Farm KOLUMBI
