heifers

[msplmtneer]

Hello There
Just been reading some of the posts really enjoy it.
My question is what exactly is the difference between feeder and replacement heifers?
Thanks
Sorry should have asked question better if a person is starting to build a small herd which would be better to buy and breed for like half of a starter herd other half be bred cows or heifers?

 

[dun]

A feeder is destined to be fed out and slaughtered. A replacment is destined to be breeding stock

 

[jerry27150]

replacement heifers are higher quality, born earlier & better growth rates

 

[kjonesel]

Lots of ways to start a herd. Your experience would be the most important determining factor. I began with heifers, but I grew up on a 350 cow dairy farm and could AI. In other words heifers calving posed no problems and I got by without a bull. See how just a little thing makes a big difference. Give us more details and we will give you some things to consider.
Welcome to the community

 

[dun]

replacement heifers are higher quality, born earlier & better growth rates

That would only be the case if the producer is wililng to select that way. Many earlu born quality heifers go as feeders simply because the producer doesn;t keep heifers as replacements or breeding stock. Could be sired by a terminal bull or breeding that doesn;t fit with the goals of the producer. For that matter, there are producers that keep every ever and don;t really care about quality or are barn blind and think everything is replacement quaility.

 

[Nesikep]

Different people will have different definitions...

Replacement quality heifers will come from trouble free bloodlines, have traits that make them good in their specific area (as much milk as the feed availability will afford), structurally sound and have good dispositions.

Anything that fails that will be a feeder heifer.. I guess in some cases one man's junk is another man's treasure.. but it might make you question either man!

 

[djinwa]

Yep, I just have a few cows and sell to small-timers. I sold two heifers and told them to eat the one as she had poor disposition. Of course, they bred her, and after her calving, I get an email from them complaining that she was trying to kill her calf.

Now I prefer to eat the bad heifers myself to make sure they get out of the gene pool.

 

[Caustic Burno]

Hello There
Just been reading some of the posts really enjoy it.
My question is what exactly is the difference between feeder and replacement heifers?
Thanks
Sorry should have asked question better if a person is starting to build a small herd which would be better to buy and breed for like half of a starter herd other half be bred cows or heifers?

Heifers are a crap shoot and not for the beginner IMO.
Start with a 5 or 6 year old heavy or 3 n 1's.
You need a cow that knows how to work until you learn how to work on them.
Grass in front of the cow bull behind .

 

[msplmtneer]

I want to thank everyone for their ccomments and help I still have a lot to look into.
Thanks Again