STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biomolecule Research Review Article

Optimizing Grazing Systems for Promoting Early Puberty in Dairy Heifers: An Integrated Nutritional Perspective

  1. Md. Emran Hossain Department of Animal Science and Nutrition, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Chattogram-4225
  2. Minara Begum Munni Department of Animal Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Chattogram-4225

Abstract

The onset of puberty in dairy heifers is a critical milestone in ensuring optimal reproductive performance and overall herd productivity. Grazing systems, when strategically managed, may play a significant role in accelerating puberty through their influence on nutritional intake and heifer management practices. This review explores the impact of different grazing systems on the nutritional status of dairy heifers, emphasizing the balance between nutrient supply and demand during critical growth phases. The role of forage quality, pasture availability, and grazing management in supporting growth rates conducive to early puberty is examined. Furthermore, the interaction between grazing systems and supplemental feeding strategies is discussed to highlight how management interventions can enhance growth performance and reproductive readiness. By integrating insights from recent research on energy and protein requirements, rumen development, and metabolic signaling, this review aims to offer practical recommendations for optimizing grazing systems. The findings suggest that well-managed grazing systems, combined with targeted nutritional interventions, can effectively contribute to the timely onset of puberty in dairy heifers, supporting long-term herd health, fertility, and productivity.

Keywords

References (31)

  1. Fantuz F, Fatica A, Salimei E, Marcantoni F, Todini L. Nutrition, Growth, and Age at Puberty in Heifers. Animals. 2024;14(19):2801. doi:10.3390/ani14192801
  2. S. T. Butler, “Nutritional management to optimize fertility of dairy cows in pasture-based systems,” Animal, vol. 8, no. s1, pp. 15–26, 2014.
  3. Duittoz AH, Kenny DA. Review: Early and late determinants of puberty in ruminants and the role of nutrition. animal. 2023;17:100812. doi:10.1016/j.animal.2023.100812
  4. Steele N, Stephen M, Kuhn-Sherlock B, Hendriks S, Meier S, Phyn C, et al. Animal- and herd-level factors associated with onset of puberty in grazing dairy heifers. New Zealand Veterinary Journal. 2023;71(5):213-225. doi:10.1080/00480169.2023.2224763
  5. M. S. Allen, “Relationship between forage quality and dairy cattle production,” Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., vol. 59, no. 1–3, pp. 51–60, 1996.
  6. J. M. N. Bwire and H. Wiktorsson, “Pre-weaning nutritional management and dry season nutritional supplementation on intake, growth and onset of puberty of improved Zebu heifers,” Livest. Prod. Sci., vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 229–238, 1996.
  7. D. R. Woodfield and D. A. Clark, “Do forage legumes have a role in modern dairy farming systems?,” Irish J. Agric. Food Res., vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 137–147, 2009.
  8. Thiessen Martens J, Entz M. Integrating green manure and grazing systems: A review. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 2011;91(5):811-824. doi:10.4141/cjps10177
  9. S. K. Gupta, P. Singh, K. P. Shinde, S. A. Lone, N. Kumar, and A. Kumar, “Strategies for attaining early puberty in cattle and buffalo: A review,” Agric. Rev., vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 160–167, 2016.
  10. M. Getabalew and T. Alemneh, “Factors affecting the productivity of rangelands,” J. Plant Sci. Agric. Res., vol. 3, no. 1, p. 19, 2019.
  11. Patel PK, Shukla SN, Singh G. Incidence of Delayed Puberty in Cattle Heifers in and around Jabalpur. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences. 2020;9(6):1289-1292. doi:10.20546/ijcmas.2020.906.160
  12. W. Badgery et al., “Better management of intensive rotational grazing systems maintains pastures and improves animal performance,” Crop Pasture Sci., vol. 68, no. 12, pp. 1131–1140, 2017.
  13. D. E. Beever, H. R. Losada, S. B. Cammell, R. T. Evans, and M. J. Haines, “Effect of forage species and season on nutrient digestion and supply in grazing cattle,” Br. J. Nutr., vol. 56, no. 1, pp. 209–225, 1986.
  14. D. J. Patterson, R. C. Perry, G. H. Kiracofe, R. A. Bellows, R. B. Staigmiller, and L. R. Corah, “Management considerations in heifer development and puberty,” J. Anim. Sci., vol. 70, no. 12, pp. 4018–4035, 1992.
  15. S. Panda, K. K. Panigrahy, S. Barik, and K. Behera, “Grazing and Pasture Management In Small Ruminants,” Indian Farmer, vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 319–329, 2016.
  16. M.T. Fadlalla I. The Interactions of Some Minerals Elements in Health and Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows. New Advances in the Dairy Industry. 2022. doi:10.5772/intechopen.101626
  17. V. H. Severino-Lendechy, F. Montiel-Palacios, and P. Pérez-Hernández, “Age and weight at puberty in tropical dairy criollo heifers with and without supplementary feeding,” Ecosistemas y Recur. Agropecu., vol. 4, no. 12, pp. 555–561, 2017.
  18. Quintero-Anzueta S, Molina-Botero IC, Ramirez-Navas JS, Rao I, Chirinda N, Barahona-Rosales R, et al. Nutritional Evaluation of Tropical Forage Grass Alone and Grass-Legume Diets to Reduce in vitro Methane Production. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2021;5. doi:10.3389/fsufs.2021.663003
  19. K. Tekin, B. Yurdakök Dikmen, H. Kanca, and R. Guatteo, “Precision livestock farming technologies: Novel direction of information flow,” Ankara Univ. Vet. Fak. Derg., vol. 68, no. 2, pp. 193–212, 2021.
  20. M. Michels, V. Bonke, and O. Musshoff, “Understanding the adoption of smartphone apps in dairy herd management,” J. Dairy Sci., vol. 102, no. 10, pp. 9422–9434, 2019.
  21. University of Kassel, Germany, Wachendorf M. Advances in remote sensing for monitoring grassland and forage production. Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science. 2018:353-362. doi:10.19103/as.2017.0024.11
  22. Singh AK, Bhakat C, Ghosh MK, Dutta TK. Technologies used at advanced dairy farms for optimizing the performance of dairy animals: A review. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research. 2021;19(4):e05R01. doi:10.5424/sjar/2021194-17801
  23. M. A. Rahman, N. S. Juyena, M. Shamsuddin, and M. M. U. Bhuiyan, “Genomic tools and genetic improvement of crossbred Friesian cattle,” Res. Agric. Livest. Fish., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 89–107, 2021.
  24. S. O. Sennuga, S. A. Ujoyi, J. Bamidele, S. S. Onjewu, W. I. Lai-Solarin, and A. A. Omole, “Exploring the role of smart-phone apps for livestock farmers data management extension and informed decisionmaking in Nigeria,” Int J Probiotics Diet., vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 46–53, 2023.
  25. M. Lamanna, M. Bovo, and D. Cavallini, “Wearable Collar Technologies for Dairy Cows: A Systematized Review of the Current Applications and Future Innovations in Precision Livestock Farming,” Anim. an Open Access J. from MDPI, vol. 15, no. 3, p. 458, 2025.
  26. Higgins S, Schellberg J, Bailey JS. Improving productivity and increasing the efficiency of soil nutrient management on grassland farms in the UK and Ireland using precision agriculture technology. European Journal of Agronomy. 2019;106:67-74. doi:10.1016/j.eja.2019.04.001
  27. O. Palma, L. M. Plà-Aragonés, A. Mac Cawley, and V. M. Albornoz, “AI and Data Analytics in the Dairy Farms: A Scoping Review,” Animals, vol. 15, no. 9, p. 1291, 2025.
  28. S. Krishnan and L. P. Ganesan, “Integrated Dairy Production and Cattle Healthcare Management Using Blockchain NFTs and Smart Contracts,” Systems, vol. 13, no. 1, p. 65, 2025.
  29. Nguyen A, Francis M, Windfeld E, Lhermie G, Kim K. Developing an immersive virtual farm simulation for engaging and effective public education about the dairy industry. Computers & Graphics. 2024;118:173-183. doi:10.1016/j.cag.2023.12.011
  30. A. Bayskar, “Hydroponics: A Promising Alternative Technology for Fodder Production,” pubished Pap., vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 432–448, 2025.
  31. Baldin M, Breunig T, Cue R, De Vries A, Doornink M, Drevenak J, et al. Integrated Decision Support Systems (IDSS) for Dairy Farming: A Discussion on How to Improve Their Sustained Adoption. Animals. 2021;11(7):2025. doi:10.3390/ani11072025