Beef Cattle Handbook

BCH-2110 Product of Extension Beef Cattle Resource Committee

Management of First-Calf Heifers

Don Boggs, Extension Beef Specialist, South Dakota State University

Successfully calving out and then rebreeding a set of Table 1. Effect of Pre-calving Energy Level on Performance of
first-calf heifers presents one of the greatest challenges First-calf Heifers
to cow-calf producers. The physical and nutritional stress- Energy Level HIGH LOW
es associated with parturition, lactation and continuing Birth Weight, lb. 67 63
her own growth, create a real challenge for the two-year- % Calving Difficulty 27 28
old cow. Calving difficulties, weak calves, calf death loss % Calves Alive at Birth 97 90
and scours are all potential pitfalls that can be avoided % Heifers Cycling 41 26
or reduced with proper management and nutrition. But, 40 Days After Calving
perhaps the biggest stumbling block with first-calf % Heifers Cycling by 74 56
heifers is getting them rebred in a timely fashion. Data Start of Breeding Season
from South Dakota herds enrolled in the Cow Herd % Heifers Cycling by 100 93
Appraisal Performance Software (CHAPS) program End of Breeding Season
shows a tendency for heifers to calve on time as two- Weaning Weight of Calves, lb. 353 325
year-olds, calve late as three-year-olds and then be open
in the fall when they wean their second calf. Five years Corah, et al., J. Anim. Sci. 41:819, 1975.
of culling data from the North Dakota CHAPS program
supports this tendency as the highest percentage of
cows culled for reproductive failure were three-year-olds. they will usually calve late in the season and thus wean
The two- and three-year-old cows accounted for nearly younger, lighter weight calves. Producers should either
one third of all the open cows culled. Therefore, not only start the breeding season for yearling heifers two-three
getting first-calf heifers rebred, but also getting them weeks ahead of the cow herd or simply shorten the
bred early in the season are of great importance to the breeding season on the yearlings to help assure an early
long term success of the breeding program. calving group of first-calf heifers. If purchasing replace-
ment heifers, buy only heifers that are due to calve early
Pre-calving Nutrition and Management in your calving season.
Successful management and rebreeding of first-calf Proper pre-calving nutrition is essential. Table 1
heifers is partially dependent on having them bred early shows the results of a Wyoming study comparing the
as yearling replacement heifers. Research has shown performance of two groups of first-calf heifers fed differ-
that first-calf heifers have a longer postpartum interval ing levels of energy for 100 days prior to calving. One
(the time from calving to first estrus) than cows. Heifers group (HIGH) received 100 percent of the NRC require-
that calve late as two-year-olds are difficult to keep in ment for TDN (energy) while the other group (LOW)
the herd and even if you do get them rebred every year received only 65 percent of their NRC requirement for

BCH-2110 1
TDN. LOW energy reduced birth weights by approxi- es cow and calf death losses and dramatically increases
mately 5 pound., however the percentage of cows with costs of production. Odde (1988) has also shown that
calving difficulty was not decreased and the calf surviv- calving difficulty affects calf vigor and serum
ability was lower with LOW energy. HIGH energy result- immunoglobulin concentration (Table 3). As calving diffi-
ed in a more rapid return to estrus and a higher culty scores (1=no assistance, 2=easy pull, 3=hard pull)
percentage of cows cycling at both the beginning and increased the calf serum immunoglobulin concentrations
end of the breeding season. decreased and the interval from calving to the calf stand-
Research from Colorado State University helps ing was increased. They also found that cows that calved
explain the Wyoming results. When heifers were devel- without assistance more readily accepted their calves.
oped to calve in adequate body condition score (BCS = 5 Odde concluded that reducing calving difficulty may
or 6 on a 9-point scale) calves were quicker to stand fol- have an indirect effect on increasing calf survival, inde-
lowing calving and they also had higher serum pendent of the direct effect of calving difficulty on direct
immunoglobulin concentrations than calves from heifers calf losses.
developed on lower energy and calving in BCS 3 or 4 Sire selection and proper development of replace-
(Table 2). Several researchers have also demonstrated a ment heifers are the keys to reducing calving difficulty. It
strong relationship between BCS at calving and subse- should be noted though that with improvements in
quent reproductive performance. In a recent Louisiana estrus synchronization techniques the technology is
study (Table 2), heifers that calved in BCS 6 or 7 had available to AI the majority of all replacement heifers to
higher pregnancy rates and a shorter interval from calv- progeny proven, calving ease bulls.
ing to pregnancy than heifers in BCS 4 or 5. These and Replacement heifer development extends well
other data would indicate a target BCS of 6 for first-calf beyond the time of getting the yearlings bred. At calving
heifers at calving. If heifers are thinner than this, weak a first-calf heifer should weigh approximately 85 percent
calves and poor rebreeding performance become poten- of her mature weight potential. For example a heifer
tial problems; if their BCS are higher than this, increased that you predict will grow into a 1200 pound. mature
calving difficulties could occur. cow should weigh 1020 pound. when she calves. This
The Colorado researchers also demonstrated that translates into an average daily gain of around one
protein intake during gestation affects colostrum pro- pound per day from breeding to calving plus the weight
duction and the activity of the calves at birth. Restricting of the fetus and membranes. Obviously, a potential

Table 2. Effect of Body Condition Score at Calving on Colostrum, Interval from Calving to Standing and Reproductive Performance of
First-calf Heifers
Body Condition Score
3 4 5 6 7
Interval from Calving to Standing, mina 60 64 43 35 -
Colostrum Production, mla 1525 1112 1411 - -
Calf Serum IgG1, md/dla 1998 2179 2310 2349 -
Calf Serum IgM, mg/dla 146 157 193 304 -
Pregnancy Rate, %b - 65 71 87 91
Days to Pregnancyb - 92 82 74 76

a Odde, Food Anim. Practice 4:501, 1988.

b DeRouen, et al., J. Anim. Sci. 72:1119, 1994.

protein to 55 percent of the NRC requirement resulted in drawback to this target weight method of heifer devel-
lower colostrum production, lower heat production in opment is accurately predicting mature weights. There is
the newborn calf and a longer interval from calving to a general tendency to underestimate mature weights
when the calves first stood. Other research at the especially on larger framed cows. Your cull cow weight
University of Idaho has related restricted protein intake receipts or simply weighing a group of cows with simi-
to an increase in weak calf syndrome in newborn calves. lar genetics can give you a good estimate of the mature
weights in your herd.
Avoiding Calving Difficulty Proper heifer development can also be monitored
Survey information from the National Animal Health via body condition scores. As discussed earlier a BCS of
Monitoring System (NAHMS) indicates that 17.8 percent 6 at calving is optimum. A BCS is equivalent to approxi-
of all beef first-calf heifers require some type of calving mately 60 pound. of body weight. By monitoring BCS on
assistance. Of these, 9.4 percent are reported as easy bred heifers throughout gestation you can make the nec-
pulls, 7.4 percent as hard pulls and 0.4 percent as essary adjustments to achieve the target BCS at calving.
Cesarean sections. Calving difficulty in first-calf heifers Reducing dietary energy prior to calving is not an
delays return to estrus, lowers pregnancy rates, increas- effective method for controlling calving difficulty.

2 Beef Cattle Handbook

Table 3. Effect of Calving Difficulty Score on Calf Serum Immunoglobulin Concentration and the Interval From Calving to Standing.

Calving Difficulty Score

1 2 3
Interval from Calving to Standing, min 40 51 84
Calf Serum IgG1, mg/dl 2401 2191 1918
Calf Serum IgM, mg/dl 195 173 136

Odde, Food Anim. Practice 4:501, 1988

Researchers at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center can help in improving their reproductive performance.
(MARC) fed Angus and Hereford two-year-old heifers Not only will the mature cows dominate heifers at the
10.8, 13.7 or 17.0 pounds. of TDN per head per day for 90 feed bunk, but one must also realize that the lactating
days prior to calving. Although birth weights increased first-calf heifer is a unique individual. As shown in Table
as energy increased, the low energy group experienced 4, a 1000 pound heifer has similar daily requirements for
the most calving difficulty. This is in agreement with the energy (TDN) and crude protein as her counterpart 1200
Wyoming data previously discussed in Table 1. pound mature cow of similar milking ability. However,
Dietary protein levels during gestation are also a the dry matter intake for the heifer is approximately 10
consideration. In a Miles City, Montana study bred percent lower than the cow's. Therefore producers need
heifers were fed either 86 percent or 145 percent of the to provide a higher quality diet for their lactating first-calf
NRC crude protein requirement for the 82 days prior to heifers than for their lactating cows. If the heifers and
calving. Heifers on the high protein diet gained more cows are run together as a single management group,
weight and calved in higher condition scores; however, either the heifers will be under-fed or the cows over-fed.
they also had significantly heavier calves at birth and Either scenario will result in decreased efficiency due
experienced more calving difficulty. Other research tri- either to decreased performance in the heifers or addi-
als though have not shown a consistent response to tional costs for the cows.
high protein gestation diets. Pre-calving protein levels
should be kept near NRC recommendations, as low lev- Table 4. Comparison of Feed Requirements of Mature Cow and
els can result in weak calves and high levels are costly First-calf Heifer.
and may present some risk of heavier birth weights and Cow Heifer
increased dystocia. Weight 1200 1000
Forced exercise during late gestation has been TDN, lb. 12.8 12.9
shown to improve calving ease in confined dairy heifers.
CP, lb. 2.1 2.1
However, a recent report from the Miles City research
station (J. Anim. Sci. 72:1667, 1994) indicated no advan- Intake 23.0 20.8
tage to forced exercise on the calving ease of first-calf % TDN 55.7 62.0
beef heifers maintained in typical beef environments. % CP 9.1 10.1
Providing timely assistance to heifers that do experi-
ence calving difficulty is a key to improving rebreeding NRC, 1984, Average milk production.
performance. In another Miles City project (J. Anim. Sci.
59:1, 1984) heifers were divided into SHORT (assistance
provided when membranes or feet were visible) or PRO- Heifers should be monitored for changes in BCS
LONGED (labor progressed until calf was born or assis- from calving through breeding to assure that they are in
tance was required) duration labor groups. The SHORT a positive plane of nutrition. This is true even after
duration group had higher percentages of first-calf turnout onto lush pastures as first-calf heifers may have
heifers cycling at the start of the breeding season (87 vs. problems consuming enough of the lush, wet forage to
70 percent) and pregnant in the fall (88 vs. 69 percent). meet their dry matter and energy requirements. If the
The average length of Stage II parturition (time from the heifers start to lose condition, additional energy and
first abdominal press to when the calf was born) in the other ration adjustments may be necessary.
PROLONGED group was 54 minutes. In contrast, NAHMS Kansas researchers fed lactating first-calf heifers at
data indicates that 45 percent of producers let a heifer either 100 or 150 percent of their NRC requirements for
labor for three or more hours before providing assis- crude protein with supplements of either low rumen
tance. More frequent observation of heifers and earlier escape or bypass potential (L) or high rumen escape (H)
intervention with extended labor appear to be justified. potential (Table 5). Average daily gains of both cows and
calves were higher for cows receiving the higher level of
Post-calving Nutrition and Management protein. Neither the amount nor the source of the sup-
Separating first-calf heifers from the mature cow herd plemental protein significantly affected the milk yield or

BCH-2110 3
conception rates in this study. This study would suggest mented with three quarters of a pound of crude protein,
that NRC potentially under estimates crude protein they were essentially able to maintain their weight and
requirements for first-calf heifers or that we can easily body condition. Early weaned cows maintained their
under estimate the milk production potential of heifers, weight and condition without supplementation, while
especially those selected for improved maternal traits. early weaned, supplemented cows gained both weight
Continue to monitor BCS of first-calf heifers even and condition. These results were not duplicated when
after the breeding season. Preventing excessive body this trial was repeated in subsequent years indicating a
weight losses during late lactation can reduce winter weaning date by year interaction. In years when first-
calf heifers are losing weight and BCS, or pasture condi-
Table 5. Effect of Amount and Source of Protein on Performance tions are becoming poor during late lactation, strongly
of Lactating, First-calf Heifers consider early weaning and or supplementation to pre-
vent loss of valuable body energy reserves.
100-L 100-H 150-L 150-H
ADG of Cow, lb. .62 .55 .68 1.06 Summary
ADG of Calves, lb. 1.30 1.36 1.45 1.50 • First-calf heifers are a unique management group in
Milk Yield, lb./day 10.4 11.4 11.2 13.0 a cow-calf operation. They are highly susceptible to
Conception, % 56 80 90 80 calving and reproductive failure unless properly fed
and managed.
Rusche, et al., J. Anim. Sci. 71:557, 1993. • Restricting energy prior to calving might reduce
birth weights, however it has also been shown to
cause increased calving difficulty, poor calf vigor,
feed costs and help to prevent reproductive failures as decreased calf survivability and reduced conception
three-year-olds. The impact of crude protein supplemen- rates.
tation during late lactation and/or early weaning in • A BCS of 6 at calving appears to be optimum for
spring calving cows was demonstrated in a Montana first calf heifers to achieve successful calving and
study (Table 6). When calves were weaned in December reproductive performance. BCS is an excellent tool
at 8-9 months of age, non-supplemented cows lost for monitoring nutritional status and for making
approximately two pounds for each pound that their decisions regarding changes in the nutrition and
calves gained. If the late weaned cows were supple- management of first-calf heifers.

Table 6. The Effect of Weaning Date and Protein Supplementation on Cow and Calf Performance

Weaning Date
September 19 December 11
Crude Protein, lb./day 0.0 .75 0.0 .75

Cow and Calf Performance

Cow Weight Change (Sept-Dec), lb. -23 80 -130 -25
Cow Condition Change 0.1 1.3 -1.4 -0.6
Weaning Weight, lb. 445 445 507 536

Short, et al., Factors Affecting Calf Crop, pp. 176-186, 1993.

Author:
Don Boggs, Extension Beef Specialist, South Dakota State University

This publication was prepared in cooperation with the Extension Beef Cattle Resource Committee and its member states and produced in
an electronic format by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension
work, ACTS of May 8 and June 30, 1914.

BCH-2110 Management of First-Calf Heifers

4 Beef Cattle Handbook