Calving beef cows at 2 years old is an effective strategy for maximising herd efficiency and reproductive performance, and reducing costs. Yet only 1/3 of cows nationally calve at this age. To manage this effectively, the critical factors to consider are:
- Calf health and growth pre-weaning
- Growth rates from weaning to first calving
- Nutrition and management after the first calving
Puberty in heifers is initiated by their growth, especially the levels of leptin – a growth hormone released by fat. Therefore, nutrition of growing heifers is critical to ensure that they reach the target weight and frame size ready for bulling. To calve at 2 years old, heifers should be mated at 15 months. They are most fertile from their 3rd cycle, so need to reach puberty by 12 months. Around 65% of heifers reach this target, so there is plenty of room for improvement.
Any calfhood diseases are likely to reduce growth rates, either directly though reduced intakes, or indirectly through damage to the gut (from scours) or diverting energy to fight infection.
How Can We Help?
- Calf health records – treatments, growth rates, deaths, – can help determine if your calves are getting the healthy start they need to reach their optimal performance
- Heifer scoring – we can score both their pelvic size (to ensure they have the capacity to calve safely) and their uterus and ovaries (to determine if they have hit puberty)
- Synchronisation & AI – having heifers calve at the beginning of the season gives them more recovery time before re-breeding, and have heavier calves at weaning. There is also opportunity to tailor the sire to the individual heifer as well as the needs of the herd
Please speak to one of our vets if you are interested in developing your heifer management further.
Written By Vikki Wyse, Veterinary Surgeon
