Building Better Cows: Smart Heifer Development from Day One
from Cattle Chat Hosted by BCI Cattle Chat
Joined by special guest Dr. Lee Jones from Boehringer Ingelheim, this episode focuses on effective heifer development as a foundation for long-term herd success, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right genetics and defining clear production goals. This conversation explores how early-life management—including colostrum intake, vaccination programs, and nutrition—plays a critical role in building immunity and supporting growth. They highlight key health risks such as bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) and stress the value of customized herd health plans developed with a veterinarian. Reproductive efficiency is another major theme, with strategies to ensure heifers reach puberty on time, breed early, and maintain long-term productivity. The group also evaluates whether heifers should calve at 24 or 30 months, weighing economic and logistical trade-offs. Overall, the conversation underscores that thoughtful planning and consistent management are essential to producing productive, profitable cows. For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to [email protected]. Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating! Episode sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.
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