The objectives of this study were to systematically evaluate the limitations of traditional management and the potentials of alternative practices in raising dualpurpose (DP) replacement heifers owned by farmers in the low Huasteca region, specifically in Tepetzintla, Veracruz, Mexico. The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) model version 6.1 was the primary tool applied to specific management groups of heifers in a structured set of simulations. Sixty-nine simulations were conducted to evaluate the primary constraints (bottlenecks), and fifty-five additional simulations were utilized to evaluate probable outcomes from alternative management. Typical heifer management was determined from reports and observations of members of the Grupo Ganadero de Validacion y Transferencia de Tecnologia Tepetzintla (GGAVATT-Tepetzintla; a non-governmental farmer organization dedicated to cattle production), guided by inputs from a panel of Mexican professionals working in this region and by Animal Science professionals at Cornell University. Heifer management groups, defined by three physiological stages of development (prepuberty, postpuberty and gestation) and their interaction with four forage seasons of birth (early rains, late rains, scarce rain, and low rain), were evaluated from weaning to calving. Findings revealed important understandings of the main biological and management constraints on DP heifer performance in tropical northern Veracruz. Animal performance was sensitive to season of the year, which reduced growth rate and delayed puberty, conception and, consequently, age at first calving (AFC). Results using the CNCPS model accurately depicted typical growth in GGAVATT-Tepetzintla replacement heifers. Average CNCPS-predicted outcomes