Heifer development: reproduction and nutrition.
The nutritional development of heifers from birth to the time they become pregnant with their second calf is a critical component of cowherd management. Veterinarians can use targeted body weights and condition scores to monitor progress and gauge future reproductive success throughout heifer development. Meeting Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle recommendations for net energy and metabolizable protein is the single most successful strategy for maximizing reproductive performance from birth through the second pregnancy. Supplementation with fat, minerals, and additional undegraded intake protein has not been consistently reported to enhance the reproductive function of heifers.
Larson
Robert L
RL
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 67432, USA. rlarson@vet.ksu.edu
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000592:standards; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*