As producers begin selecting replacement heifers, a commonly asked question is, “What is the best method for developing heifers?”

Preparing for any breeding season is a year-round process, regardless of what breeding season you manage your cows for. With fall rolling around, there are things to consider, plans to be developed and decisions to be made.

Successfully developing good replacement heifers depends on many factors, including age at puberty, herd health (biosecurity, vaccination, etc.) and nutrition.

When are heifers “all grown up?” Not really until at least the end of their first lactation. And cows are not considered mature until around their third lactation.

With the goal of raising the highest-quality heifers possible within a reasonable budget, Clint Al-ag, heifer yard manager of Midway Heifer Yard in Hart, Texas, knows that starts with creating a culture which encourages success.

I think we can all agree that an open first-calf heifer is a costly “uh-oh” for our bottom line. Getting that heifer to calve the first time by her second birthday can be tough and expensive. After that, it would seem the hard work is done, but not so fast.