Virginia Cooperative Extension
A partnership of Virginia Tech and Virginia State University
Agriculture
and Life Sciences
College of
School of Agriculture
Virginia State University
Pittsylvania County Office
19783 U. S. Highway 29 South, Suite C
Chatham, VA 24531-54958
434/432-7770 or 656-6211, Ext. 7770
Fax: 434/432-7777
jnstowe@vt.edu
http://offices.ext.vt.edu/pittsylvania
TIPS FOR PROSPECTIVE HEIFER EXHIBITORS
Fall is here and thoughts have turned to selecting a show heifer. With that in mind, here are some tips and
suggestions.
SELECTION
Be sure any animal you select has as many good points as possible. Remember that you are choosing an
animal to produce calves. Most traits, good and bad, are heritable (passed on from parent to offspring).
Therefore, you want a heifer whose mother was a good cow. Ask to see performance or production records on
any cattle you may want to buy. If the information is available, you should look at:
1. Adjusted 205-day weaning weight and ratio.
2. Adjusted 365-day yearling weight and ratio.
3. Production information on the mother of heifers,
including:
a. number of calves raised (should be one
or two less than the cow’s age).
b. weights and ratios of all her calves.
These records will help you be sure that the cattle you buy are not someone else’s culls. Buy animals that
were above average in the herds they were raised in (over 100 ratio) but expect to pay more than feeder price
for this type animal.
Health is very important. Buy your heifers from accredited and certified herds that are free of tuberculosis (TB)
and brucellosis (Bang’s). Heifers should be vaccinated for brucellosis (calfhood vaccination). Buy only from
farms that have good herd health programs. Once you have purchased the heifer, begin your deworming and
vaccination program.
GROWING REPLACEMENT HEIFERS
Your goal in feeding heifers is to develop them into productive cows at a reasonable cost. Heifers should be
large enough to breed at 14 to 15 months of age. The target weight for breeding heifers is 65% of their
expected mature weight. If heifers fail to reach these target weights by the time you want to breed them, they
may not have reached puberty (exhibit their first heat) and cannot be bred. They may also be too small when
calving time arrives. Do not allow heifers to get too fat because then they may be difficult to get bred and may
have lower milk-producing ability.
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Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments.
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Most heifers should gain 1.25 to 1.5 pounds per day from weaning to breeding age to reach their target weight.
The gain should be 1.75 pounds per day for large breeds and their crosses. This may sound like a slow rate of
gain, but remember that you do not want heifers to get fat. Gains above the recommended rates will cause the
animals to put on excess fat.
Expect heifers to eat 2.5 pounds of hay for every 100 pounds of body weight. Legume or grass-legume hay
will provide enough protein, but a heifer still needs added energy to grow at the proper rate. Therefore, you
should feed grain daily in addition to the self-fed hay. A good rule of thumb is 1% of body weight of grain per
day (i.e., a 600# heifer receives 6# of grain). Remember, each animal is different and these are estimates of
feeding rates.
FEEDING HEIFERS FOR SHOW
The rules for feeding replacement heifers also apply to show heifers. Judges, however, like to see somewhat
more condition on show heifers, which should look filled out and “bloomy”. Feed your heifers to gain 1¾ to 2
pounds per day for about the last four weeks before a show. Longer than four weeks usually results in show
heifers getting too fat. The easiest way to put on more condition is to increase grain by 2 pounds a day above
the level previously fed.
BRED HEIFERS
Bred heifers should continue to grow to calving without fattening. Fat heifers can have trouble calving. Heifers
should continue to gain 1 to 1.25 pounds a day from breeding to calving. Good pasture should keep them
gaining at this rate. If good pasture is not available, however, use 20 to 25 pounds of good quality hay per day.
Prepared by: Jamie N. Stowe
Extension Agent, ANR (Animal Science)
Pittsylvania County
(November, 2011)
GENERAL RULES
1.
All contestants must be bonafide 4-H for FFA members, at least 9 years of age the day of the show. All members
are invited to participate.
2.
Animals must be brought to the show grounds on the day of the Show and Sale at the appointed time.
3.
The responsibility for loss, damage, or injury to animals exhibited is the responsibility of the exhibitor until sold.
4.
A contestant must exhibit his/her own animal in the show. However, if a contestant has more than one animal to
show in a class, he/she may ask another registered exhibitor to show his/her animal, or otherwise the animal
will be disqualified.
5.
The show manager and co-manager will have the authority to disqualify any animal or contestant that is in
violation of the rules and regulations or who in their opinion would be of danger to contestants or spectators.
6.
Exhibitors are responsible for making sure entries are submitted to the show manager on time.
7.
Each exhibitor can only sell 3 animals in addition to any Champions and Reserve Champions. Additional animals
will be sold at packer price. Exhibitors will take the responsibility of having a buyer or buyers for their animals well
in advance of the sale.
8.
Junior/Senior division for showmanship classes will be made by the age of the contestant on show day. Ages 913 will be placed in the junior division and ages 14 and up will compete in the senior division.
9.
The Executive Committee reserves the right to not accept registrations from exhibitors who have not attended a
pre-show meeting.
10.
Nominations will only be accepted from youth who completed an “Intent to Show” form. Each animal entry must
be accompanied by a non-refundable $15 per animal entry fee that is to be paid by the exhibitor. Entries must be
received by their respective due dates. Entries received 1-10 days late will be assessed a $15 per animal late
fee. If forms are received more than 10 days after deadline, the child and animal are ineligible to show.
2012 HEIFER SHOW RULES AND REGULATIONS
1.
Heifer nominations must be submitted by January 21, 2012.
2.
Heifers must be in possession of exhibitor prior to January 15, 2012.
3.
No more than two heifers may be shown by an exhibitor.
4.
Heifer classes will be divided by heifer age. (Must be born between August 1 st, 2010 and April 30th, 2011).
5.
It is recommended that all heifers be vaccinated according to label directions against the respiratory complex
(shipping fever, including IBR PI3), BVD Types I & II, Lepto, and the clostridials not less than 30 days prior to the
show. Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis are a concern to out-of-state exhibitors. Consult your veterinarian
and have appropriate health papers prepared. This is for your protection.
6.
All heifers exhibited must be polled or dehorned. Heifers must be halter broken and manageable to be shown.
Heifers may be shown open or bred.
7.
Any product administered internally or externally to alter the conformation or disposition of an animal for exhibition
is strictly prohibited.
8.
A “Homeraised” Beef class(es) will be held for all steers and heifers that were born and raised on the farm of the
exhibitor’s immediate family.