Replacement Heifers

24_7

I probably know the answer to this but a few of the cows are getting on in years and just wondering where most of you get your replacement heifers from if ye dont rear them. Buy of-farm or at mart? Traditionally we would buy springers, or maybe a cow+calf at mart but its hard to get the good ones so thats why thinking of the bullying heifer route.

The mart seems a minefield because either a)heifers are too fat, b)genetics wise you dont know what your getting, or c) your bidding against dealers.

btw. not looking any just yet.

john mayo 10

simmental's are probably your best bet, also chx heifers. limo's are good breeding animals but can be a bit on the wild side

jackthelad001

we usually either keep our own or buy at the mart. Never bought off farm, at least at the mart you get a better idea of what she's worth. Although prices for good breeding heifers this year seems to be up on last year due to the lack of the right type of heifer. You are always taking a risk buying in the mart but if you were to breed youre own replacements (ie maternal bulls), you may take the hit with a poorer bull calf. At least with buying replacements, you can focus on breeding beefier terminal sired calves. One thing I keep an eye on when weanling heifers in the mart is weight for age (although i do accept some farmers may have them hiding in the rushes a bit longer than whats on the card!) because it is an indication of milk yield of the cow and general growth rates (again you will have some strongcalves pushed on meal) but generally this principle applies. generally our best milky cows are ones that were the big weanlings.