There’s ample research indicating a heifer’s lifetime fertility is affected by the follicle count in her ovaries, according to Jones. What producers might not be as aware of is that a heifer’s follicle count is developed within the first trimester after her own conception.

“One of the things we want to make sure we do is treat [our cows] very well, because she’s nurturing that heifer calf,” Jones recommends. “It’s very important that we make sure [a mature cow] has adequate nutrition and the best treatment. I don’t think a lot of people think about fetal programming as the initial step in heifer development.”

While fetal programming might not be the hot-button topic it once was, that doesn’t mean it is any less important.

“A lot of the discussion [at Angus Convention] is in genomics and advanced technologies,” Jones says. “We need to remember that certain things are essential to make sure we can take these technologies and apply them [elsewhere].”

To development or purchase

While developing your own replacements can be appealing for several reasons, that might not always be the best option. If you’re unable to put the necessary time and effort into development, it might be more cost-effective to purchase replacement females.

“It’s absolutely critical that a farmer uses a sharp pencil to make these economic decisions. They have to do the math and make sure that [they] are considering all the expenses — both direct and indirect alike,” notes Jones. “Sometimes labor is a big issue and some of these [development tasks] can be labor-intensive. If I don’t have the people, the expertise or the skill set, then it might be better to outsource that to someone who has the resources to do a good job.”

Options for having another operation develop your own home-bred heifers do exist, but the decision to purchase could come down to the desire to add new genetics to the herd, Jones points out. After all, cattlemen have choices, and it’s important to consider each one before finalizing decisions.

Quite the commitment

So you have committed to developing your own heifers, but what exactly does that commitment mean long-term to give yourself the best possible chance of success?

Selection is going to be a hefty priority, according to Jones. That selection begins with looking at heifers and being able to assess them — either using genomic tools available to Angus producers or phenotypic tools available to every rancher.

“Evaluate those heifers. Look at their dam’s performance and decide whether they’re really good cows that fit your environment. I want to make sure that I develop heifers not just from a physical standpoint, but also want to work with those heifers so that they’re used to me,” Jones notes, encouraging producers to build a relationship with their cattle while feeding and caring for the herd.

Another chore to keep in mind when considering developing heifers at home is implementing a herd health program that includes necessary vaccines. Vaccines are not the only part of a herd health program, says Jones, but it’s an essential component.

“A good parasite management program is critical, especially as we look at basing our production on available forage. Cattle get parasites from grazing forages,” Jones says, while encouraging producers to consider whether they have the grass or the facilities to commit to this endeavor. “There are a lot of considerations that I need to think about. Just understand that there are some hidden expenses in heifer development that many may not be quite prepared to handle.”

Editor’s note: The information above is summarized from the Nov. 29, 2023, episode of Angus at Work. To access the full episode — including more information on heifer development practices and considerations — check out our Angus at Work archive on www.angus.org.

Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 17, No. 4-A