Page 21 - MWC 10-21-2021s

Heifer Development

Beginning at Weaning

Maternal Integrity BALANCERernal Integrity BALANCER
By Steve Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist Mat ® ®
B
HEIFER SELECTION: method of selection. Some of Bull Saleull Sale
Heifers can be sold at wean- the heaviest heifers at wean-
ing or anytime thereafter. ing may be fat and offer the
No
Select at least 20% excess potential of poor lifetime Nov. 6, 2021 / 1 pm Butler, MOv. 6, 2021 / 1 pm Butler, MO
and continue growing the milk production due to fat
heifers until breeding. A sec- deposits in the udder. Some
ond selection at yearling age big heifers are fast growing
is helpful. Let the bull or due to an endocrine imbal-
artificial insemination pro- ance and are subfertile at
gram select the heifers you breeding.
keep by maintaining a rela- The biggest problem with
tively short breeding season traditional heifer selection
(45 days). Pregnancy diagno- is “frame creep”. This is the
sis after the breeding season gradual increase in mature
provides another opportunity cow size over time resulting
for culling. A final selection from the use of larger frame
can be made after heifers bulls and retention of their
wean their first calf. Wean- daughters. The larger, high-
ing weight of the first calf is er maintenance dams may be
a fairly good, though not fool- too big for the feed resources.
18 mo. old . old
proof, indicator of future pro- If nutrition does not change, 18 mo
duction. these cows may suffer repro- fo
forage rage
EARLY GROWTH (wean- ductively.
develo
ing and yearling weight) Selecting heifers for larger developedped
AND FRAME: The tradi- actual weight will general-
tional method for choosing ly result in a more uniform
replacements is pick the big group capable of reaching
ones at weaning. Traditional pubertal weight at about the
selection is simple and is not same time. So long as their
#1 Missouri Breeder
necessarily all bad. If growth sires and grandsires are not #1 Missouri Breeder
2015-2021
is needed, selection on size too big, there is little dan- 2015-2021
will provide it. The bigger ger that selecting the larger Dam of Merit &
Dam of Merit &
heifers are generally older, heifers will cause significant Dam of Distinction
Dam of Distinction
and thus selection is from the “frame creep”. Be careful not
earlier calving cows. It also to mistake frame for weight.
may (or may not) select heif- Framey heifers with below
ers of heavier milking cows. average body condition may Videos of Lots at f Lots at BFCattleCo.comBFCattleCo.com
Heavier and older heifers be “hard keepers” later in life. Videos o
are more likely to cycle and FRAME SIZE: Match- Auction Live Streamed on our Facebook pageion Live Streamed on our Facebook page
Auct
breed early and be well on ing the development pro-
their way to having accept- gram with genotype: We
able lifetime performance. know that most components
B/F C
However, there are prob- of fertility that influence first B/F Cattle Companyattle Company
lems with the traditional continued on page 25 N Nooww AAllssoo SSeelllliinngg

ALL NATURAL BEEF

Brett & Libby Fosterster
Brett & Libby Fo
Butler, Mo
Butler, Mo 64730 64730
Fo
Follow us @BFCattleCollow us @BFCattleCo
Call Brett for Bulls 660.492.2808
Call Brett for Bulls 660.492.2808
Call Libby for Beef 660.679.1194r Beef 660.679.1194 “No Bull”
“No Bull”
Call Libby fo
Request catalog online / Call for directions
Lunch served at noon / 15 mi. east of Butler

Sale Day Phone Bids: Gary Felger 573-298-0828
Sale Day Phone Bids: Gary Felger 573-298-0828
A
Auctioneer Bill Nance ~ Nance Auction Service ~ 417-214-0093 uctioneer Bill Nance ~ Nance Auction Service ~ 417-214-0093
nanceauctionservice@y
nanceauctionservice@yahoo.comahoo.com