EB1827 Analyzing the Economics of Alternative Methods for Acquiring Dairy Replacement Heifers. Gayle Willett and Herbert Hinman. An adequate supply of low cost, good quality dairy heifers calving at an optimum age/weight is critical for dairy profitability. This bulletin has detailed worksheets to help farmers evaluate the economic alternatives of raising or buying replacement heifers and of raising their own heifers or using a contract grower. Supplemented with examples. Published January 1997. 30 pages. $2.00.