Drought conditions throughout cow country eventually force culling decisions. Multiple factors should be considered when deciding culling strategies, and there’s no one-size-fits-all set of criteria that will work for every producer. The process begins with an inventory of available feed resources.
Source: BEEF, August 5, 2021. Link. The author shares some options for where to start making culling decisions to keep an operation viable without damaging the available feed and forage resources:
- Pregnancy test early and cull opens and late calvers
- Cull cows that are older than a specified age
- Sell replacement heifer calves rather than developing them
- Sell yearlings earlier than normal to stretch forage for cows
- Cull based on disposition, thriftiness, production etc.
- Cull the bull battery
INSIGHTS: Veterinarian education and support for culling decisions help producers survive and gives the practice an idea of key product volume needs. Consider proactive discussions with key customers before harvest begins.