Every year we hear of disasters where heifer weanlings sold through marts turn up in-calf and have to be returned to the owner along with a bill for scanning and feeding and maybe a vet bill. Some finishers have stopped buying heifers because of this hassle.

Weanling heifers can reach puberty early if they are gaining weight quickly and on a high plane of nutrition. Autumn-born heifer calves and bull calves should be split up at this stage to avoid any unwanted pregnancies. Separating these animals at this stage also means you can feed the bull weanlings while keeping heifer calves on good grazing.

I have seen some farmers in recent weeks attaching a scanning guarantee that heifers are not in calf and some marts in the west provide this service at the intake pens in the mart. Take note of any heats and, if in doubt, get your vet or scanning operator to scan to be sure to avoid getting the phone call that starts: “Did you sell a heifer on the …”

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