Nutrition and Feeds for Nutrition and Feeds for Developing Heifers and BullsDeveloping Heifers and Bulls

Developing heifersDeveloping heifers– Goal:Goal:

Feeding heifers for constant wt. gain Feeding heifers for constant wt. gain followingfollowing

weaning has been shown to result in betterweaning has been shown to result in better

reproductive performance than when they reproductive performance than when they areare

restricted and then fed for rapid gain prior restricted and then fed for rapid gain prior toto

breeding.breeding.

Nutrition and Feeds for Nutrition and Feeds for Developing Heifers and BullsDeveloping Heifers and Bulls

Developing heifersDeveloping heifers

– Reach-puberty at ~ 65% of mature wt.Reach-puberty at ~ 65% of mature wt. Mature wt. =Mature wt. = Hastening onset of puberty:Hastening onset of puberty:

– Should wt ~ 85% of mature wt. when Should wt ~ 85% of mature wt. when calve as calve as

2 year old2 year old– Recommend start breeding heifersRecommend start breeding heifers

Nutrition and Feeds for Nutrition and Feeds for Developing Heifers and BullsDeveloping Heifers and Bulls

Developing heifersDeveloping heifers– Some comparison of heifers and cowsSome comparison of heifers and cows

7-9 mo. pregnant 7-9 mo. pregnant Lactating_ Lactating_

HeiferHeifer CowCow 2 yr. old2 yr. old CowCow

ProteinProtein +33+33 ________ +25+25 ____ ____

EnergyEnergy __________ +10+10 +17+17 ____ ____

CaCa +6+6 ________ +20+20 ____ ____

PP +6+6 ________ +25+25 ____ ____

Nutrition and Feeds for Nutrition and Feeds for Developing Heifers and BullsDeveloping Heifers and Bulls

Developing bullsDeveloping bulls– Goal:Goal:– Feeding high energy diets to bulls on test Feeding high energy diets to bulls on test

may impact future:may impact future: HealthHealth FertilityFertility If feed more roughages in futureIf feed more roughages in future

– Should be ready for limited breedingShould be ready for limited breeding Mature Mature