Nutrition and the development of replacement heifers

Abstract

Does the system work? After having been on a controlled heifer replacement program for 3 to 5 years, the entire herd will develop a short calving season resulting in more weaned calf weight per cow exposed to breeding. Wiltbank has reported on the advantage of feeding heifers for a selected target weight at breeding. Two groups of Brahman-cross heifers were fed to weigh 600 or 700 lbs at the beginning of the breeding season. They were pastured and fed similarly from breeding through weaning their first calves. The heifers that weighted 700 lb at breeding weaned 86 lb more calf per heifer exposed. They bred earlier and more became pregnant. The return above feed costs after 2 years breeding was $52 greater for the heavier heifers. Obviously, the benefits continue through subsequent calvings, emphasizing the importance of managing the replacement heifers for 3 years, through their second breeding and calving.