By Jamie Martin
A heifer’s productivity begins long before her first calf. Timely breeding, good nutrition, and proactive health care determine her long-term reproductive success and overall herd profitability.
“Heifers that calve late stay behind for life,” said Dr. Jordan Thomas of the University of Missouri. “They breed later, produce lighter calves, and are often culled earlier.”
Experts recommend breeding heifers early—conceiving at 15 months and calving by 24 months. Those that calve in the first 21 days of the season produce up to two extra calves over their lifetime. “A body condition score of 6 at calving is critical,” added Dr. Thomas. Proper body fat reserves help heifers breed back sooner and maintain reproductive health.
Pre-breeding vaccination is vital to prevent reproductive diseases such as BVDV, leptospirosis, and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. “Vaccines like EXPRESS® FP with the Singer strain can prevent persistently infected calves,” said Dr. David Shirbroun of Boehringer Ingelheim.
Parasite control is equally important for nutrient absorption and growth. “Extended-release products like LONGRANGE® protect cattle on pasture for the entire grazing season,” explained Dr. Shirbroun. “This ensures consistent nutrition use and better performance.”
Heifer development, experts note, is a long-term commitment that begins even before birth. “The only true way to maximize reproductive potential is to manage cow health during gestation,” said Dr. Shirbroun. “When done properly, heifer development is a three-year process from conception to first calving.”
Early management decisions today determine herd success tomorrow. Balanced nutrition, vaccination, and parasite control together create healthier, more profitable herds.
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Categories: National