Contract growing dairy heifers: The good, the bad and the ugly

Contract heifer growing can be beneficial to dairy producers. Contract heifer growing allows dairy producers to concentrate capital, labo r and management on the lactating herd. Heifer growers and dairy producers should have a formal agreement that spec ifies animal management and financial arrangements. Financial arrangements must be beneficial to both the grower and dairy prod ucer. Conflicts between heifer growers and dairy producers can be avoided with ef fective communication. Dairy producers have the largest stake in the arrangement; heifers which ar e the future of the dairy.