Weighing replacement heifers will highlight which animals are on target before the start of the breeding period.
ADVERTISEMENT
Early May is a good time to weigh replacement heifers before they go to the bull. This weight should then be used as part of the final criteria to select replacements, especially for herds that calve heifers at 24 months of age.
Ideally, such heifers should weigh around 60% of mature cow weight when bred and 90% of mature cow weight when calving.
Challenge
ADVERTISEMENT
For a herd with cows averaging 750kg, this means heifers need to weigh at least 450kg by the time breeding kicks off in the coming weeks, which can be a challenge for many herds.
Where cows typically weigh 700kg, then heifers should weigh a minimum of 420kg. Hitting these weights greatly improves the prospects of getting heifers back in-calf for a second year.
Follow up the May weighing with one in June, which can be tied in with a worm dose. Give replacements priority grass over the summer and weigh regularly to monitor performance.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Early May is a good time to weigh replacement heifers before they go to the bull. This weight should then be used as part of the final criteria to select replacements, especially for herds that calve heifers at 24 months of age.
Ideally, such heifers should weigh around 60% of mature cow weight when bred and 90% of mature cow weight when calving.
Challenge
For a herd with cows averaging 750kg, this means heifers need to weigh at least 450kg by the time breeding kicks off in the coming weeks, which can be a challenge for many herds.
Where cows typically weigh 700kg, then heifers should weigh a minimum of 420kg. Hitting these weights greatly improves the prospects of getting heifers back in-calf for a second year.
Follow up the May weighing with one in June, which can be tied in with a worm dose. Give replacements priority grass over the summer and weigh regularly to monitor performance.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS