Farmers who work with heifers (young female cows that have yet to give birth) need to monitor their age and weight very closely. If the cows do not eat enough or eat too much, they could risk negatively impacting the pregnancy and the health of the cow. How do the farmers know so much about the health of their heifers? They observe and record the weight every day. Sometimes they estimate the weight by measuring what is called girth (distance around the belly of the cow) or wither height (the height from the shoulder/hip to the ground) of the heifer. The most accurate way is to put them on a scale. What age does the Holstein heifer mate at? calve at?
