Objective Approach Helps Producers Save the Right Heifers

The dream of most beef cow-calf producers is to produce their own replacement heifers and one day have a perfect, trouble-free, uniform set of cows.

That is the dream, but when reality is considered a lot of things change and adjustments always have to be made according to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

This fall, as calves are weaned, heifers will be looked over closely for their potential in the breeding herd. Each farm has a different set of criteria for replacements. Things like growth of the heifer, birth day, eye appeal and the bull she came from will be considered.
A more objective approach may be taken in herds that keep strict birth and parentage records.

" Some producers will actually weigh calves and compare them to others in the herd. They may not save the biggest heifers but instead pull out the middle-of-the-road heifers based on weights. This is true in herds where there is concern that the cows are getting too big," said Cole.

Feeder cattle are still sold by the pound and signals from the packing industry indicate an 800 pound carcass is acceptable. That carcass weight would come from a 1,200 to 1,300 pound finished steer.

" In southwest Missouri we can handle cows of that size, but much beyond that may be too big. However, efficiency can come in different size packages," said Cole.

It is generally accepted that continual selection for extremes - like height (frame size), weight and milk production - is not wise. The feed supply or environment affects the choice of a perfect-sized female.

" You may objectively check frame size with some type of height measuring device or by making marks on the chute or scale. Complete frame charts may be obtained from extension livestock specialists," said Cole.

It is worthwhile to keep heifers out of cows that have consistently produced above average calves. Producers should rely on written records rather than drawing on their memory.
Good temperament, sleek hair coats, thickness and depth of body, dam’s udder quality along with sound hooves and legs are the subjective traits that deserve consideration in the selection process.

Purebred breeders should also consider expected progeny differences (EPD) as they make their selections. Of course all those numbers may add to the confusion, but over the long haul they can help in the selection process.

" One other bit of advice, always save more heifers than you expect you’ll need. At breeding time give the selected heifers a short (45-day) breeding season and only save those that breed in that time," said Cole.

For more advice on saving heifers contact one of the following University of Missouri Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mt. Vernon, (417) 466-3102; Gary Naylor in Dallas County, (417) 345-7551; and Dona Funk in Cedar County, (417) 276-3313.