Heifers are essential to rebuilding the U.S. cow herd. Depending on who you ask or what you read, some believe the rebuilding phase is underway, others think it hasn’t started yet, and some remain uncertain about when it will begin. Regardless, heifer retention remains the most reliable indicator that rebuilding efforts are taking place.

In Texas, this spring has seen record-high prices for both bred and open heifers at special sales across the state. All signs point to these high prices continuing, which means rebuilding will come at a significant cost. That cost underscores the need to treat your heifers like the valuable investment they are—differently and more attentively than your mature cows.

Understanding the demands of heifers

Heifers are one of the most challenging and high-maintenance groups in any cow-calf operation. They’re prone to calving difficulties and have the highest nutritional demands in the herd. Their reproductive performance directly impacts the long-term success of your herd, so early rebreeding is crucial to ensure they contribute productively over time.

Dr. Kaite VanValin, Extension Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, explains that decades of research have taught us how heifers and cows prioritize nutrient use. First, nutrients go to basic maintenance—keeping the animal alive and maintaining body condition. Next is lactation, followed by growth (in young females), support of a current pregnancy and finally, reproductive cycling and the ability to breed back.

First-calf heifers are particularly vulnerable because they must do everything a mature cow does—raise a calf and breed back—while still growing themselves. When nutritional needs aren’t met, these young females often fail to rebreed and end up being culled. That’s a significant financial loss, as it takes at least four to five years for a heifer to pay for herself. Culling a heifer early means losing the initial investment and missing out on years of potential calf income.

While genetics often take the blame for reproductive failure, VanValin points out that reproductive traits are actually lowly heritable. In most cases, poor nutrition—especially undernutrition—is the real culprit. The good news? Nutrition is something we can control. Because heifers are smaller than mature cows, they naturally consume less feed. This means their diets must be more nutrient-dense, with higher concentrations of energy and protein.

The Noble Research Institute offers practical guidance to help ensure replacement heifers have long, productive lives:

1. Prioritize health – Vaccinate and booster open heifers with high-quality modified live vaccines for respiratory viruses, blackleg, Vibriosis, Leptospirosis, and Brucellosis. Treat them for internal and external parasites, including flies, lice, ticks, worms, and flukes. Test for PI-BVDV before adding them to your replacement program.

2. Breed smart – Use calving-ease bulls with proven genetics. To set heifers up for long-term success, aim for them to calve at least 30 days before the rest of the herd. This gives them extra time to recover, begin cycling, and be ready to breed at the start of the next breeding season—resulting in an older, heavier calf at weaning each year.

3. Feed correctly – Heifers should be in a body condition score (BCS) of 5.5 to 6 at calving and breeding. Those in optimal condition are more likely to breed back quickly. Keep heifers on your best pastures and provide quality hay or supplements. Work with a livestock consultant or nutritionist to tailor a feeding plan to your needs.

4. Ensure proper weight gain – From weaning to calving, heifers should gain 1.5 to 1.75 pounds per day. At breeding, they should weigh at least 65–70% of their mature body weight, and by calving, 85%. A common misconception is that restricting feed will lead to smaller calves and easier births. In truth, genetics drive calf size more than nutrition. In order for a heifer to experience dystocia, she would have to be in a BCS of 8 or more. A heifer that is too thin and runs out of energy during the calving process is at a much higher risk of dystocia than one that is at a BCS of 6.

5. Keep heifers separate – Bred heifers require more attention than mature cows. Managing them separately makes it easier to monitor their condition, watch for calving issues, and provide extra supplementation when needed. Ideally, they should remain separated until at least 90–100 days post-calving to support peak lactation.

For many producers, managing heifers can be frustrating. But with thoughtful planning and care, developing or purchasing first-calf heifers can turn into one of the most rewarding investments on the ranch.

For producers who are rebuilding and with the current economic climate, it’s imperative that producers take every step to ensure these valuable heifers, who are key to the future, become contributors in the herd.