title: Criteria for selecting replacements at weaning, before breeding, and after breeding.
abstract: At weaning, heifers should be considered for replacements based on their dam's previous performance; heifer calving date, age, and weight; and previous exposure to implants. Before breeding, heifers should be selected as replacements based on whether they have attained puberty (determined by a prebreeding examination), do not have abnormal pelvic areas, or fail to meet temperament standards. After breeding, heifers should be selected as replacements if they conceive early in the breeding season, are capable of achieving 85% of their mature weight by calving, and calve at a body condition of 5.5 to 6.0.
authors.affiliation: North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 3925 Highway 71, Marianna, FL 32446, USA. Electronic address: gclamb@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: G Cliff
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Lamb
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D001947:Breeding / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D014886:Weaning
keywords: Beef heifer; Genetics; Heifer development; Selection