Unit 9 - Heifer Development

Question 1

What is the focus?

Answer 1

On promoting physiological maturation of heifers within the confines of any given production system

Question 2

When does heifer development begin?

Answer 2

At weaning (7 months of age) and continues until the animal becomes pregnant for the 2nd time (approx. 24 months of age)

Question 3

What are the key activities?

Answer 3

-Replacement heifer selection
- health and nutritional support to achieve timely puberty
-training to fit the production system and production environment
-physical evaluation during the pre-breeding period
-first breeding and management of subsequent maturation
-second breeding and management of subsequent lactation

Question 4

What are the major functions of this period?

Answer 4

1) develop heifers physiologically
2) adapt heifers environmentally

Question 5

What are some questions to ask while selecting replacement heifers?

Answer 5

1) birth date: born in the 1st half of the calving season?
2) Cow ID: born to a cow with acceptable udder quality?
3) Health: disease treatment during calfhood?
4) Conformation: acceptable temperament and structure?
5) Sire ID: Sired via artificial insemination
6) Weaning Weight: Extremely high or low?

Question 6

What should training heifers to fit the production system and environment consist of?

Answer 6

-develop heifers in the environment and in the production system that they will have to fit as mature cows.
- consider modifying existing mature-cow feeding system to accommodate the additional nutritional needs of his feed
-foraging skill is the basis of cow success in range-based production system
-beware of intensive, confinement-based development systems, may not provide heifers with the training they need to thrive in a pasture environment

Question 7

Are most components of fertility that influence calving and subsequent performance highly heritable?

Answer 7

No.

Question 8

The majority of factors affecting reproductive performance of the replacement heifer are determined by what?

Answer 8

Management

Question 9

How is heifer nutrition unique?

Answer 9

In that maintenance, growth, lactation, and pregnancy must all be addressed at times.

Question 10

What are the Stages of development

Answer 10

Weaning to 1st breeding
Breeding to 1st calving
Calving to 2nd breeding