August really shows you how your replacement heifers are doing.In May or June, your heifers probably looked healthy and on track. The grass was good, days were long, and there was time to make changes if needed. But when August hits West Texas and the Southern Plains, things change fast. Suddenly, the heifers do not look as even. Some are getting thin, some hang back at the water trough, and others spend more time fighting flies than grazing. The grass is still around, but now it is dry and stemmy, and it does not help them like it did earlier in the summer.
This is why August matters so much for heifer development. Replacement heifers are not just another set of calves—they are your future herd. If they fall behind now, you might see problems later like delayed puberty, poor conception, lighter calves, weak milk production, and cows that never catch up. August is not the time to guess. Take a close look, sort honestly, and make sure the heifers you want to keep are still doing well.
What’s the right strategy for heifer development in your cowherd? It’s a question almost every producer asks at some point. Developing a replacement heifer isn’t just another task on the ranch—it’s one of the biggest and most expensive management decisions you’ll make. And the way you handle it can shape your herd’s profitability for years to come.
What is the proper strategy for heifer development for my cowherd?
