After wildfires recently ravaged over 800,000 acres across Nebraska many cattle producers, now short on grass and hay, may be contemplating how to manage replacement heifers this spring and summer. While many ranchers may prefer not to develop replacement heifers in a drylot, heifers can be successfully developed and bred in confinement.

Due to extensive drought and/or fire, producers in farming areas or feedlot managers may agree to take in heifers to develop because they have access to grain and various silages that can be used for cattle rations. Understanding the needs of the replacement heifer and how they differ from a finishing heifer are very important for successful development and breeding. 

Rate of Gain 

 A replacement heifer, from weaning to breeding, may only need to gain 1.25 pounds/day to reach her target breeding weight. A finishing heifer may be on an aggressive growing diet gaining 3 pounds per day, or a finishing diet targeting over 3 pounds/day gain. These are very different goals and therefore, very different rations. 

Example Rations 

Below are example rations for replacement heifers targeting 1.25 pounds/day gain and finishing heifers on an accelerated growing ration targeting 3 pounds/day gain.

The replacement heifers do not need a high energy diet. The corn silage provides some energy that is lacking in the poor-quality (often cheaper) hay, and the distillers grains provide metabolizable protein the heifers need to develop bone and muscle growth without gaining extra fat tissue. 

If heifers are still in confinement at breeding, a diet providing 1.5 to 2.0 pounds/day gain could be provided to be similar to gain on green grass.

Producers wanting assistance with ration balancing for replacement heifers can contact the UNL beef team.