Management of the Beef Replacement Heifer
Proper care and management of the beef heifer is necessary for a successful beef breeding herd. Here are some suggestions for growing replacement heifers for your beef breeding herd.
- Keep 50% more heifers than you need.
- Vaccinate heifers for Brucellosis, Lepto, etc.
- Select the older and naturally heavier heifers at weaning. These heifers have inherited their gainability from their dams, and their reproductive, as they were born during the first part of the calving season.
- Feed heifers to gain 1.25 pounds per head daily from weaning to breeding.
- "Flush" the heifers by having them gain 1.5 pounds per head daily beginning 20 days before the start and continue through the breeding season. It's a good practice to deworm the heifers prior to flushing.
- Restrict the breeding season to only 45 days.
- Breed replacement heifers 20 days before the mature cows.
- Maintain an effective internal and external parasite control program.
- Pregnancy check and cull all open heifers.
- Feed moderately (gain approximately 1 pound per day) during gestation.
- Keep replacement heifers in separate herd, especially during the winter period, until after they have had their second calf.
- Feed replacement heifers all the roughage they can eat after calving. Depending on the roughage and condition of the heifers, extra protein and energy may be required to keep them in a gaining condition through lactation.
- Creep feed their calves. This may reduce the "wear and tear" on the heifers.
- For feeding recommendations, consult the Kent Beef Breeding Herd Program.