The sharp fall in dairy cow numbers which has occurred since the introduction of milk quotas in 1983 has seen a resurgence of interest in the suckler cow. As a result the June 1989 census revealed that the number of heifers under two years old destined for breeding was 6.1 percent up on the previous year. It therefore seems clear that over the next few years as the beef herd expands more emphasis is going to be placed on the young breeding heifer. Problems with breeding from young heifers are well known. However, current knowledge of the effects of pre partum nutrition on heifer and calf performance is incomplete. The purpose of this study was therefore to monitor the effects, of differing patterns of energy intake in mid and late pregnancy in maiden heifers.