preston39
Well-known member
From Cow and Calf Weekly 5/14/05
"Time To Think About Replacement Heifers
It takes 4-6 years of production from a heifer to return a profit. Thus, the chosen management system for replacement heifers has a major impact on reproductive performance, longevity of replacements into the herd and the operation's economic viability.
Here's a checklist to provide each heifer an opportunity to conceive.
Target heifers to be at a body condition score of 6 to 6.5 and weighing 65% of their mature body weight at breeding season's start.
Collect pelvic measurements 30-60 days before breeding for use in selecting replacement heifers. Internal pelvic area influences the incidence and degree of calving difficulty in first-calf heifers.
Collect reproductive tract scores (RTS) 30-60 days before breeding, or observe for estrus activity for five consecutive days. RTS estimates a heifer's pubertal status by rectal palpation of the uterine horns and ovary. Visual observation of estrus activity helps indicate the percent of heifers cycling prior to breeding season.
First-calf heifers' nutrient demands are higher during postpartum recovery due to lactation, maintenance and growth. Moving the replacement heifer breeding season 20-30 days ahead of that of mature cows allows first-calf heifers more time to recover before their second breeding season.
Prior to breeding, manage lighter or pre-pubertal heifers separately. Cull those with noticeable signs of unsoundness. This will save costs, labor and time.
For more info on Minnesota cow-calf reference materials or Minnesota Beef Team events, go to http://www.extension.umn.edu/beef/. You can also visit BEEF magazine's cow-calf production and management Internet site, http://www.beefcowcalf.com.
-- Ryon Walker, University of Minnesota Extension beef specialist, Grand Rapids "
"Time To Think About Replacement Heifers
It takes 4-6 years of production from a heifer to return a profit. Thus, the chosen management system for replacement heifers has a major impact on reproductive performance, longevity of replacements into the herd and the operation's economic viability.
Here's a checklist to provide each heifer an opportunity to conceive.
Target heifers to be at a body condition score of 6 to 6.5 and weighing 65% of their mature body weight at breeding season's start.
Collect pelvic measurements 30-60 days before breeding for use in selecting replacement heifers. Internal pelvic area influences the incidence and degree of calving difficulty in first-calf heifers.
Collect reproductive tract scores (RTS) 30-60 days before breeding, or observe for estrus activity for five consecutive days. RTS estimates a heifer's pubertal status by rectal palpation of the uterine horns and ovary. Visual observation of estrus activity helps indicate the percent of heifers cycling prior to breeding season.
First-calf heifers' nutrient demands are higher during postpartum recovery due to lactation, maintenance and growth. Moving the replacement heifer breeding season 20-30 days ahead of that of mature cows allows first-calf heifers more time to recover before their second breeding season.
Prior to breeding, manage lighter or pre-pubertal heifers separately. Cull those with noticeable signs of unsoundness. This will save costs, labor and time.
For more info on Minnesota cow-calf reference materials or Minnesota Beef Team events, go to http://www.extension.umn.edu/beef/. You can also visit BEEF magazine's cow-calf production and management Internet site, http://www.beefcowcalf.com.
-- Ryon Walker, University of Minnesota Extension beef specialist, Grand Rapids "
