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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 November 2021
The growth performance of youngstock has a double effect on the general productivity of dual purpose farms. First, it directly influences the beef outputs of the farm, and second; it has an indirect effect on the length of the non-productive period of the replacement heifers and their subsequent milk production ability. The latter effect has been well documented on dairy heifers in both temperate and tropical conditions. The growth performance of youngstock is dependent of the management intensity and productive orientation of the farm. This paper shows the effect of a series of nutritional factors and farming characteristics on the pre-weaning growth performance of youngstock in eighteen dual purpose farms in Costa Rica.