From a reproductive standpoint, holding the heifers over does not hurt them. If the breed composition of the heifers includes a high percentage of bos indicus (Brahman), holding them over and breeding when they are older allows further sexual maturity. Holding the heifers over basically comes down to an economic situation in that there will be a delay as to when you will have a calf to sell out of these females. So, with that in mind, continue to develop the heifers, but do as much as you can using grazed forages and not with a lot of supplemental feed other than minerals/vitamins and salt. Only supplement if needed. This will help keep costs down.

Browse related Faqs by tag: beef cattle, heifers, reproductive management