Selecting replacement heifers is expensive and time-consuming, writes Lindsey Sawin. Knowing the breeding objectives for a producer’s herd may be the most challenging part of the process.
Sawin shares some parameters and tools commercial cattlemen can use to select the right females for their operation including:
- EPD: expected progeny differences
- CED: calving ease direct
- CEM: calving ease maternal
- HP: heifer pregnancy
- Phenotype
- Temperament
Source: Angus Beef Bulletin Extra, November 8, 2022. Link. The article is available as a Angus Beef Bulletin audio recording embedded in the article (21 minutes).
Also see: Search Results for: heifers, Animal Health Digest. Link. Here you’ll find several articles about managing heifers in beef and dairy herds. Keep scrolling.
INSIGHTS: Resources like this provide animal health pros opportunities to orient themselves to producer choices and terminology. Use what you learn to ask better questions and open the door for deeper discussions.
Also consider sharing the article with cow/calf producers in a personalized email. Use a concise subject line and begin with a confidence statement followed by an invitation. Here’s an example.
