Phases for Successful Replacement Heifer Development Source: Purina Animal Nutrition
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hen’s the most important time to focus on nutrition during development of replacement heifers? There isn’t just one time frame. Focus on nutrition throughout a heifer’s first two years of life, with special emphasis during three critical phases: the fetal to pre-weaning phase, the weaning to breeding phase and the breed-back phase. Three critical phases of replacement heifer development: 1. Fetal to pre-weaning phase Caring for replacement heifers should begin before heifer calves are even born. Research shows if you do not take care of the cow while she’s pregnant, the resulting heifer calves could suffer the consequences. Fetal programming can impact the heifer’s overall health at birth and during her entire life span. That means it’s imperative to keep cows at a good body condition score year-round, through the nine months of gestation and beyond. Once the calf is born and at the cow’s side, cow nutrition continues to be important because she’s providing critical
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nutrients to the calf. If a creep feed is offered to supplement calves, try to avoid getting calves too fat, which can cause potential lower milk production later on, as cows. Keep feed intake at one percent of body weight or less. Feeds with intake modifying properties can help address over-conditioning by encouraging calves to eat smaller, more frequent meals spread throughout the day. 2. Weaning to breeding phase The second most critical time in a heifer calf’s life is when she’s weaned. If we
provide quality nutrition throughout the cow’s gestation and keep the cow/calf pair in good condition prior to weaning, we need to make sure we’ve got a top-notch weaning program, or our efforts could be wasted. Starter ration selection will likely depend on resources and preference. Use a complete or semi-complete starter feed in a hand-fed scenario and complete feed with intake modifying properties for a self-fed situation. After two or three weeks on a starter
