Impact of Overwinter Gain on Growth and Reproductive Performance in March-born Heifers

Summary with Implications Heifers developed to lower rates of overwinter gain may reduce development costs without growth and reproduction impacted. A 3-year study was conducted to evaluate different overwinter rates of gain on heifer growth rates, reproductive, and economic performance. Heifers were managed together and individually supplemented (January-May) with dried distillers grains to achieve either a low (0.75 lb/d) or high (1.50 lb/d) average daily gain. At breeding, high gain heifers were heavier than low gain heifers. Average daily gain and body condition score were similar between treatments. Overwinter treatment did not impact attainment of puberty, pregnancy rates, or the percentage that gave birth in the first 21 days. Net returns were $31.26 greater for low heifers compared to high heifers, suggesting that average daily gain will have a greater return after considering development costs. Results indicate developing heifers to a lower rate of gain may reduce input costs and provide flexibility determining an overwinter supplementation rate and overall rate of gain.