RADIO TRANSCRIPT
March 5, 2025
Damon Pollard

This is Damon Pollard, Livestock Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service-Burke Center. Todays topic is Developing Replacement Heifers.

Developing sound, durable, and efficient replacement heifers is important to the viability of a beef producer. Whether purchased, or home grown, replacement heifers are a necessary expense to the cattlemen and should be developed properly to insure long term success.

Producers should first be sure to get heifers to the target weight before breeding. This is generally recognized as 65% of their mature weight. Keep weight gains steady and on a rising nutritional plane through breeding to insure good conception rates and greater lifetime production. Keep up a good mineral program for developing heifers, making it available at all times, to support their development.

Don't under-develop heifers, or over-develop them either. Over weight heifers don't perform well and can be prone to more calving difficulties. Avoid implanting heifers, or buying heifers that have received implants.

Keep good records on your heifers, and eartag them so you can document their development accurately. Vaccinate your heifers and give a pre-breeding booster. Work with your veterinarian to develop a herd health program for your entire herd.

Keep replacement heifers away from any bull calves present, to avoid any pregnancy risk before the breeding season. Implementing these fundamental elements in your operation, can increase the odds of your heifers being successful, productive cows that yield greater returns on your investment.

This is Damon Pollard, Livestock agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service- Burke center. If you would like more information, call us at 764-9480.