AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Cattle producers in Alabama with yearling heifers should look to participate in the Sand Mountain Elite Heifer Development Program. This forage-based development program is consigned by cattle producers in the state. The program offers producers a chance to have heifers developed into sound replacements for their herds.
Heifers nominated in November will arrive at the Sand Mountain Research Center in January and stay until June. During the program, the heifers are
- placed on cool-season annuals
- weighed every 28 days
- artificially inseminated in April
- scanned for carcass merit using ultrasound
- picked up at the end of June
Benefits of the program
Outsourcing heifer development provides many benefits to cattlemen and women. By not dedicating an area of forages throughout the winter months to developing heifers, they are able to best utilize forage resources for mature cattle. Participation in the program results in a culmination of data, such as reproductive tract scores, carcass data, growth performance, pelvic measurements and temperament scoring. Heifers participating in the program will develop on forages, preparing them to return to a similar environment upon completion.
Program regulations
“Health requirements are an important aspect to heifer development due to the importance and benefit of reproductive health and disease prevention,” said Landon Marks, an Alabama Extension animal sciences and forages regional agent.
Marks recommends consulting with herd veterinarians prior to the program to ensure that the appropriate vaccinations are given to heifers.
Heifers must be 10 months old upon delivery to the program with their breed composition known and registration number of sires provided. Weighing at least 525 pounds at delivery, heifers must be structurally sound, have a calm disposition and be of excellent quality.
Preconditioning of heifers should occur before delivery day as well. This includes dehorning and healing, deworming and weaning for a minimum of 45 days.
Program outcomes
“All components of this program were designed with producer adoption in mind,” Marks said. “A producer can take the concepts of this program and repeat them on their own operation.”
Heifers returned in June will hopefully be pregnant, either by artificial insemination or the registered angus bull. Producers will receive a report with growth performance, reproductive performance and production of the utilized forages.
More information
The program fee for the development program is $400. While the total balance is due at heifer pickup in June, a $200 per head deposit will be due upon delivery.
Producers have the choice to either submit their applications online or to print and send it by mail. Find both options on the Sand Mountain Elite Heifer Development Program page on the Alabama Extension website. For more information on the program, contact Marks.
