Tips for managing first-calf heifers With the 2009 calving
season nearing, Robert Wells, Ph.D., a Livestock Consultant with
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, offers cattle producers a
few tips for improving the life and production of replacement,
first-calf heifers. "With margins tightening, producers must
make sure to maximize lifetime cow profit potential starting
with the first calf," Wells said. "Taking care of the heifer's
health needs is top priority." Vaccinations serve as the first
line of defense. Wells suggests vaccinating open heifers for
respiratory diseases, blackleg, Vibriosis, Leptospirosis and
Brucellosis. Internal and external parasites (flies, lice,
ticks, worms and flutes) should also be treated. Wells stressed
that before introducing them into a replacement program, beef
producers should test for persistently infected (PI) bovine
viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). The next step is to conduct proper
breeding. This includes breeding a heifer to a bull with high-
quality genetics and low calving