It is advised to evaluate heifer inventory when managing rising feed costs and calculating feed inventories. Managing heifer inventory from wet calves to springers can save money on feed, as well as help market females at the right time.
Brian Vaassen, Midwest regional business manager with Standard Dairy Consultants, recommends gauging the intent of your heifer program in terms of maintaining or growing the herd, improving genetics, as well as any intention to market genetics and sell replacements. “With so many options, we need to look at the heifer inventory differently,” he says. “High feed prices only emphasize this more.”
VAS education specialist, Taliah Danzinger agrees with Vaassen, recommending ensuring heifer inventories match the farm’s future replacement needs to help manage tight feed inventories. “If you’re feeding more heifers than you’ll need in the future, it likely doesn’t pencil out to keep them all when costs are high,” Danzinger says.
Other considerations to help control feed costs when managing heifer inventory include reviewing cow cull rate, heifer survival rate and the number of females born every month. For example, if your cull rate decreases, you might not need as many heifers to replace older cows. Also, if you experience a change in heifer survival rate from birth to first calving, you should recalculate your heifer inventory. “Reviewing your semen use and the ratio of sexed, conventional and beef semen can also help curb costs,” Danzinger adds. “Consider the number of heifer calves you anticipate over the next six months and if you should keep them all.”
