Caring for first-calf heifers and calves

You invest a lot in a heifer with the hope that she will produce quality calves every year. Heifers are only about 80% of their mature weight when they have their first calf, so they’re still growing themselves. They need special attention to prevent a lowered body condition score, delayed re-breeding or a smaller calf.

Phillip Lancaster is a research assistant professor with the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University. He says a first-calf heifer is the hardest animal to get re-bred so it’s important to keep her in good body condition to weather the stressors.

"You need to keep her separate from the main herd so that you can feed the first calf heifer differently because she’s probably going to need some additional supplement depending on when you’re calving, of course," says Lancaster. "But let’s say we’re spring calving. She’s going to need some additional supplement compared to the cow herd to make sure she stays in good body condition between calving and breeding."

The heifer will need good nutrition with higher protein and higher energy after giving birth, even if turned out onto lush pastures.

"In a cow-calf operation we typically use the term TDN, or total digestible nutrients to refer to our measurement of energy of the feedstuff," he says. "So, if we have the opportunity, we may want to give those heifers some higher quality hay and if not, then giving them some additional supplement. If we’re using a range cube, maybe they get an additional pound or two per-head per day."

Be sure to keep a close eye on the calves. First-calf heifers don’t produce as high of quality of colostrum which can leave the calves vulnerable to disease, such as scours.