Explore all the considerations when choosing to raise replacement heifers in Florida from the experts at UF/IFAS.
“Replacing the beef cow on Florida ranches creates opportunities and challenges for ranchers,” shared a UF/IFAS blog article about developing quality Florida beef heifers. The article discussed the “choices you can make while raising your own replacement heifers and also review the pros and cons of purchasing replacement heifers;” see the details of the options for raising replacement heifers from the blog article below.
Choices for Raising Replacement Heifers
The UF/IFAS blog article identified these areas for consideration if Florida beef producers are wanting to raise replacement heifers:
Herd Size: “Let’s start with how many heifers you potentially need annually. The current cull rate in Florida is 15-20%. So, that is your starting point. However, if you are looking to change the size of your herd you should adjust accordingly. Reasons for culling cows include age, pregnancy status, temperament, other reproductive reasons, poor calves, or physical unsoundness. This list alludes to some characteristics you should consider in your replacements.”
Expense: “The major expense is the heifer itself. Then there are the expenses like land rental or taxes. Other things are easy to put on paper because there are actual invoice or bill to pay for it…like fertilizer inputs, supplementation, cost of breeding (could be bulls or AI expenses), health expenses, paying for the vaccines, and the veterinary service. Other expenses include labor and equipment (tractors, feed bunks, fences, fuel, etc). Besides the inputs for each heifer, there is also the extra cost of paying for those heifers you have put resources in, but will give you nothing in return if they don’t breed. So, including all of those inputs, an average open heifer in 2025 would be worth $3,000 -$3,500.”
Management: “Management factors play into their longevity and productivity. Choosing the appropriate weaning weight, selecting the best, breeding at the optimal pubertal age, feeding or supplementing them, and setting them up on the best health foundation with vaccines, vitamins, and wormer can give a great platform for your next cow herd.”
Weaning and Supplementation: “This process starts with weaning. The average weaning age is 9 months when calves weigh around 500-750lbs. However, some ranchers wean early, at 2-3 months, for a couple of reasons. They may want to give their mature cows optimal chance to breed back. Removing the calf can jump-start her reproductive cycle while also removing the stress of lactation, allowing her to put her energy into her body condition and her next calf. Some producers also see value in weaning at this age to aid in the docility process. Being around people and other stimulation can calm your calves faster and foster a quieter future herd. If you wean calves at this age, you will encounter extra supplementation costs as you will have to feed them longer.
If you wean at 9 months, you will be closer to their maturity age, and you will not need to feed as long or utilize your pasture space as long. Research suggests you use a 12-16% protein diet as well as a foundation of forage for best results.”
Selection: “Emphasis should be placed on animals with more internal volume and capacity, natural muscling and fleshing ability. Traits to look for are spring of rib, depth of rib, natural thickness and shape down the top, thicker quartered, and width through the stifle.
Frame score is easily determined and should be used in the heifer selection process to eliminate those that do not fit predetermined production goals. Selecting heifers with frame scores of 4 to 6 will result in mature cow weights of 1100 to 1250 pounds.
Calves with poor disposition may be a physical risk to anyone who handles them. Not only do they pose a danger, but they may also display decreased performance as compared to their calmer counterparts. Femininity is exhibited by a longer, more refined head that is sharper about the poll. Females should possess a long, trim neck and be smooth about the shoulders. Replacement heifers are costly to develop, and the goal is to keep them in the herd as long as possible. These females must be structurally sound in their feet and legs. Heifers that are the heaviest are more likely to reach puberty sooner compared to their lighter-weight counterparts. By selecting 20 – 25% more heifers than you’ll need, you can cull late breeding or open heifers to offset production costs.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.