REPLACEMENT HEIFER DEVELOPMENT - NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS

Providing guidance for management of replacement heifers is one of the most important contributions a beef cattle veterinarian can make for producers. Such guidance can enhance the profitability and improve the genetic makeup of the herd. For heifers to reach puberty by 12 to 13 months of age, they must receive adequate nutritional intake to be phy sically able to reproduce. Once puberty is attained, nutrition must be maintained at a level that allows the heifer to continue to cycle, ov ulate a viable oocyte, and become pregnant. Nutritional demands of hei fers during pregnancy exceed those of mature cows because the heifer i tself is stilt growing. These increased demands continue through early lactation, at which time nutritional requirements peak. Rations that are deficient in energy or protein far extended periods during any pro duction phase will have a negative impact on fetal development, calf v iability, milk production, and rebreeding potential. Nutritionally bal anced rations can be developed far all phases of production. Once the rations are being fed, body condition scores and weight gain must be m onitored to ensure that target weights wilt be met and to permit neces sary adjustments. This is the third article in a four-part Continuing Education Series reviewing several important areas in efficient develo pment of replacement heifers, The first and second articles discussed selection of replacement heifers and mineral and vitamin supplementati on, respectively. The final article will review estrus synchronization .