Management Considerations in Holstein Heifer Development Guide B-118

This publication is scheduled to be updated and reissued 7/05. The purpose of the heifer herd is to provide replacements for cows leaving the herd and to improve genetic progress. First-lactation cows significantly contribute to herd production and profit. A recommended goal for dairy replace-ment heifers is to calve at 24 months of age with a targeted postcalving body weight of 1250 pounds. A common misconception is that this goal is either unattainable or uneconomical. Feeding heifers for rapid gains costs more per day than feeding for low gains, but development of replacement heifers is an investment in the fu-ture. The replacement heifer program should rear heifers to reach a desired age and body weight a