Heifer Development

With the cow herd at the smallest level since 1962, the stage is set for expansion of the national beef cow herd. To assist producers interested in starting or growing their herd, the Iowa Beef Center developed the statewide educational program, “Heifer Development: Rebuilding Our Future” in conjunction with the Iowa Cattlemen's Association.

In this 2012 series, best management practices from weaning to pregnancy-check were outlined. This program curriculum was repackaged into eight short YouTube videos highlighting these best management practices. See the videos and links to sources of additional information Heifer Development 1: Rebuilding our Future.

In the 2014 series “Heifer Development: Maintaining Your Investment”, Iowa Beef Center presented more specific subsequent information for operations with first-calf heifers. Best management practices ranging from pregnancy-checking as a yearling through grazing season as a first-calf heifer are the basis of this series. This content is now available through 10 short YouTube videos and links to sources of additional information Heifer Development 2: Maintaining Your Investment.

We hope you find value in this information for your operations, and welcome all feedback, questions, and comments.

Heifer Development 1: Rebuilding our Future

video title	more information
Raising vs. Buying  Heifers for Beef Cow Replacement -- Lee Schulz, ISU Extension livestock economist	Raising Versus Buying Heifers for Beef Cow Replacement
Nutrition of Developing Beef Heifers -– Russ Euken, ISU Extension livestock program specialist
Target Weights of Replacement Beef Females -- Denise Schwab, ISU Extension beef program specialist
Bull Selection and Genetic Considerations for Replacement Beef Heifers  -- Joe Sellers, ISU Extension beef program specialist	Genetic Selection: EPD Basics (IBC video series)
Phenotypic Selection of Replacement Beef Females -- Beth Doran, ISU Extension beef program specialist
Health Management of Replacement Beef Females -– Chris Clark, DVM, ISU Extension beef program specialist
Benefits of Estrous Synchronization and Artificial Insemination in Beef Heifers -- Patrick Gunn, ISU cow-calf specialist	Estrus Synchronization Planner Beef Reproductive Task Force
Bull Breeding Soundness Exams and Considerations for the Breeding Season -– Grant Dewell, DVM, ISU Extension beef veterinarian	Trichomoniasis in Beef Cattle

Heifer Development 2: Maintaining Your Investment

video title	more information
Net Present Value of Beef Replacement Females “What can I pay for her today” -- Lee Schulz, ISU Extension livestock economist	Net Present Value of Beef Replacement Females
Pre-calving/Late Gestation Nutrition of the Yearling Beef Heifer Pt. 1 –- Denise Schwab, ISU Extension beef program specialist	Management of First-Calf Heifers Nutritional Influences of Reproduction Nutritional Influences on Reproduction: Energy and Protein
Pre-calving/Late Gestation Nutrition of the Yearling Beef Heifer Pt. 2 –- Russ Euken, ISU Extension livestock program specialist	Management of First-Calf Heifers Nutritional Influences on Reproduction Nutritional Influences on Reproduction: Energy and Protein
Calving Management in First-Calf Heifers and Beef Cows -- Grant Dewell, DVM, ISU Extension beef veterinarian	Calving Time Management for Beef Cows and Heifers
Colostrum Considerations in the First-Calf Heifers and Beef Cows -- Grant Dewell, DVM, ISU Extension beef veterinarian	Management of First-Calf Heifers
Neonatal Scours in Beef Cattle -- Chris Clark, DVM, ISU Extension beef program specialist	Calf Scours: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment Calf Scours: Causes and Treatment
Early Lactation Nutrition in the First-Calf Beef Heifer –- Beth Doran, ISU Extension beef program specialist	Extra Energy of Young Females After Calving Management of First-Calf Heifers Nutrient Needs and Impact on Reproduction Nutritional Influences on Reproduction Nutritional Influences on Reproduction: Energy and Protein
Benefits of Estrous Synchronization in the First-Calf Beef Heifer -– Patrick Gunn, ISU Cow-calf specialist	Estrus Synchronization Planner Beef Reproductive Task Force
Genetic Considerations for the First-calf Beef Heifer –- Patrick Wall, ISU Extension beef program specialist	Udder Scoring I Udder Scoring II
Grazing Management for First-Calf Beef Heifers- How to Thrive –- Joe Sellers,ISU Extension beef program specialist	Nutritional Influences on Reproduction Nutritional Influences on Reproduction: Energy and Protein