EB1537 The Economics of Home-Grown versus Custom-Raised Dairy Replacement Heifers. Gayle Willett. Replacement dairy heifers account for up to 20 percent of milk production costs. This bulletin reviews the pros and cons of home-grown versus custom-raised dairy replacement heifers, including a detailed budget for evaluating costs and important points for a custom-raising agreement. Published August 1989. 10 pages. $1.00.