When To breed HeifersWhen To breed Heifers Size- #1 consideration when breeding Size- #1 consideration when breeding

yearling heifers. yearling heifers. Heifers should weigh at least 700lbs Heifers should weigh at least 700lbs and this should be from growth and not and this should be from growth and not

fattening.fattening. Age- is the second consideration- goal Age- is the second consideration- goal is to breed heifers so they calve around is to breed heifers so they calve around

2 years of age.2 years of age. Calving at 2 years of age brings cows Calving at 2 years of age brings cows

into production at lower costs.into production at lower costs.

When To breed HeifersWhen To breed HeifersConception rate is lower for yearling heifers Conception rate is lower for yearling heifers

than for older cows.than for older cows.

Younger heifers need more help at calving Younger heifers need more help at calving than do older cows. than do older cows. Give them additional Give them additional

attention at calving time!!attention at calving time!!

Heifers are bred earlier so they will calve Heifers are bred earlier so they will calve about 20-30 days before older cows. This about 20-30 days before older cows. This

allows more time for them to come back in allows more time for them to come back in heat.heat.

Heifers require more feed and should be Heifers require more feed and should be kept separate from older cows.kept separate from older cows.

calvingcalving

Easier to manage the herd when a Easier to manage the herd when a shorter calving season is maintainedshorter calving season is maintained

Spring calving requires less housing, Spring calving requires less housing, less feeding during the winter, and less less feeding during the winter, and less

labor.labor. Cows with calves do better on pasture. Cows with calves do better on pasture.

These calves are then ready for the These calves are then ready for the feedlot in the fall when the feed supply feedlot in the fall when the feed supply

is largest.is largest.

calvingcalving

About 1/2 of the first-calf heifers will About 1/2 of the first-calf heifers will need help at calving.need help at calving.

If the cow has been in labor for two If the cow has been in labor for two hours or more and there is no signs of hours or more and there is no signs of

progress in giving birth, help is needed.progress in giving birth, help is needed.

After the calf is born, make sure that it After the calf is born, make sure that it is breathing. It may be necessary to is breathing. It may be necessary to clean the mucus from the mouth and clean the mucus from the mouth and

nostrils.nostrils.

calvingcalving In cold weather, the calf must be kept In cold weather, the calf must be kept

warm and dry until it is on its feet.warm and dry until it is on its feet. Calves need to nurse shortly after birth. Calves need to nurse shortly after birth.

A weak calf must be helped to nurse.A weak calf must be helped to nurse. Colostrum- contains vitamins A and E as Colostrum- contains vitamins A and E as

well as antibodies that the calf require.well as antibodies that the calf require. The placenta (afterbirth) is normally The placenta (afterbirth) is normally

expelled within 12-24 hours after the expelled within 12-24 hours after the calf if born. If not, the vet must be calf if born. If not, the vet must be called.called.

Cows with calves need more feed to Cows with calves need more feed to produce the milk to nurse the calf.produce the milk to nurse the calf.