I think we have a Professor in WildRoseBeef. So much well versed book terminology for us simple folk. Don't know too many farmers who talk like that.WildRoseBeef said:Not necessarily. Poor quality hay makes them less thrifty--as in it will affect their growth, reproductive productivity (ability to breed on time, breed back or breed alone when it's time for them to conceive), rate of gain, etc. With grass hay, it can have protein, energy and other nutrients, but sometimes hay that looks nice and green and looks to be of moderate quality can be poorer quality when the feed tests come back. This can affect the health of cattle, making them get thinner than you want them to be and less productive in the long term, if not the short term.So the theory is that the poor quality hay may be making them more susceptible to worms?
Worms or internal parasites come about with exposure to an unbroken parasitic cycle and either not enough natural resistance built up to resist such worms--if not that, then lack of care to deworm these animals regularly (or when it's necessary).
At that age these heifers should be getting at least 14%--probably 16% for dairy youngsters like those two--protein per day. But yes, only if you're sure about feeding it. (Just a note: molasses is primarily energy or carbohydrate, it has a very small protein value to it. It's just there to make feed or fodder sweet enough that cattle will eat it)
Are you giving these heifers any mineral at all, or is it just the pasture, hay and protein treats/pellets that they're receiving?