Making Cows out of Heifers

Abstract

The replacement heifer is a mixed blessing for most cow-calf operators. On one hand, she represents the future profitability and genetic improvement of the cow herd, thus her selection and development are of paramount importance to the continued success of the cow herd.

On the other hand, the replacement heifer is an inconvenience at best. Her smaller size and higher nutritional requirements dictate she be raised and managed separately from the rest of the herd; yet the fact that she is essentially non-productive for the first two years of her life makes her easy prey for mismanagement. Nevertheless, proper growth and development of the replacement female from birth until she produces her first calf is of critical importance for her to become a highly productive part of the cow herd.