title: Setting the stage for long-term reproductive health.
abstract: This article discusses some of the aspects of heifer development that contribute to long-term health and productivity, such as disease prevention and control. Nutrition is also an important component of long-term health, and body condition score is discussed as a way to determine whether the nutrient demands of heifers are being met.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Extension and Continuing Education, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, 900 East Campus Drive, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Electronic address: payneca@missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vander Ley
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Poock
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000592:standards*; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards
keywords: Body condition score; Disease prevention; Heifer development; Parasite control; Reproductive health