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Considersations For Culling Cows

published: August 30th 2010
by: Daryl Stohbehn and Byron Leu, Iowa State

    With the recent changes in feed and pasture costs, many producers are searching
for ways to improve feed utilization, improve herd efficiency, and reduce feed
and pasture costs. The culling approach can be an important part of this management
plan. Traditionally, the culling process is initiated following weaning in the
fall and represents 10-20% of the cow-calf operation’s gross income. Through the
culling process, most producers attempt to identify cows that are keeping the operation
“in the game” and culling those that are costing the operation money. The list
of reasons for culling can be quite extensive— but usually includes:
• Cow reproductive status: Cows that are open or late calvers are strong candidates
for removing from the herd. The decision process is often clouded because the producer needs to considerwhy the reproductive problem occurred.
• Structural soundness: Cows with bad udders, feet and leg problems, history
of prolapse problems, etc., are definitely short-term cows and should be
on the culling candidate list.
• Performance: The level of acceptableperformance needs to be defined, measured, and fit the genetic goals of the operation. To best utilize these benchmarks, producers need to incorporate
production measurements such as weaning weight, reproductive data, etc. Cows that are not raising an acceptable calf should be culled. Again, if the performance outcome was not
the cow’s fault, consideration to retainthe cow should be evaluated.
• Disposition: Cows with dispositionproblems should be culled…period.
• Health problems: Health issues shouldbe evaluated individually and culled if performance is negatively impacted.
• Age: Performance of aged cows varies significantly, with most producers assuming
acceptable performance levels for cows up to 8-12 years of age. Depending on dental wear and levelof nutrition, individual cows can continue acceptable performance beyond
that standard.

Considerations for culling decisions in cow herd
#1 Use seasonality trends to project if feeding or retaining the cull cow for an extended period can
add value to the cull cow.*
#2 Review the trend line to assist as decisions are made to market cows during calving and the pasture grazing time.
#3Consider taking the cows of early weaned lightweight calves to market - this can both reduce feed
costs and help you take advantage of seasonally higher prices.