Deciding which cows to cull is a challenging task for most producers. Sometimes, their personal feelings about that particular animal get in the way. Sometimes, they don’t even know which ones are under-performing and which ones need to be kept.
Given the current conditions, which have persisted for the last year or so, the need for culling has become even more pronounced. With limited forages and the looming threat of tight hay supplies this winter, culling is beneficial and necessary for effective herd management.
It’s crucial to remember that culling an animal doesn’t diminish its value. In fact, cull cows significantly contribute to the gross income of any commercial cow operation, accounting for about 20%. Here are some clear guidelines to follow to ensure you’re maximizing the return from your culled animals, reinforcing the financial benefits of culling.
What is a cull?
Before we delve into the specifics, let’s clarify what we mean by ‘cull ‘. In simple terms, a cull is any animal you decide to remove from your herd. These animals can be sold at auction, to individual sellers, or taken to a slaughterhouse. The reasons for culling can vary, but the end result is the same: they are no longer part of your herd.
As I mentioned, there can be a variety of reasons to get rid of an animal. Still, predominately, four factors are the most common. Age, pregnancy status, the economy, or poor performance are the factors most producers cite as to why they are eliminated. According to a study done by the National Animal Health Monitoring System back in 1997, most of the culls (39.8%) were caused by age. Pregnancy status came in 2nd with 24.3%.
As you probably know, drought conditions can also affect when animals are culled. Culling due to drought returns to the economics part of the four categories. However, it is up to the individual producer to decide which ones they will cull and which ones will not.
Factors to consider
Culling an animal from the herd is often more than just picking an animal randomly and getting rid of them. It would be best to look at which ones are working for your overall goal and which are dragging you down.
This one can be subjective. The productive lifetime of a cow can vary based on geographic region or even the breed of that cow. Research done in Florida has shown that there is a decline in reproductive performance after the cow reaches ten years of age. They also established an even deeper performance decline after she reached 12 years of age. The ideal time to cull cows for their advancing age is before they begin to show severe declines in reproductive or maternal performance.
Highly excitable animals are dangerous to other animals as well as you. It is because of this danger that they are prime candidates for culling. Because calves inherit a genetic component of temperament, removing them from the gene pool is a good idea.
Reproduction and genetics
Reproductive rate is one of your cow-calf operation’s most significant profitability determinants. Open cows drain your resources because they consume feed without providing a marketable calf. It would help if you culled any open cows at the end of your breeding season. Another group that should be considered for being culled is your late-calving cows. Late-calving cows are less likely to be re-bred within the time of a controlled breeding season.
Cows that possess inferior genetics for economically essential performance traits are potential culls. You should remove cows with EPDs that don’t compare favorably with breed or herd averages in your desired qualities. The reason is that they will pass these traits to their offspring. This decision, again, is a management decision based on where you want your herd’s genetics to go.
Structural soundness is essential from the standpoint of functionality. Problems with the cow’s structure can hamper how well it moves around in the pasture. It can also affect if the cow can eat enough to maintain proper body condition. Working with cows requires an annual examination of their teeth and mouths. Also, it would be best to inspect its udder since that is how she will be nursing a calf.
How to cull
Now, let’s get to the practical steps. Before you can make any decisions, it’s crucial to keep good records of all your animals. These records are your key to making informed decisions. By tracking metrics like calving frequency, overall health, and offspring performance, you can take control of your culling process and ensure the best outcomes for your herd.
Now that you have that, here is the next step. Next, separate the ones you want to get rid of from the rest of the herd. A different paddock or just some pens will do. The critical thing here is to get them out of the herd. Then, you can make a decision of whether to hold them for a bit longer or load them up and haul them off. I will give some ideas on how to increase their value later.
Finally, you will haul them off to either the auction barn or, in some cases, the slaughterhouse. Paying you for getting rid of them is the next step.
To not negatively impact your breeding herd for years to come, there is a system you can follow. In this system, you select the ones that need to go and work your way down. In a previous post, “How destocking can ease your pain,” I go into more detail about this.
How to increase their value
While immediate culling may seem like the best option, understanding the market can significantly increase the value of your culls. By timing your sales to coincide with peak demand, you can make strategic decisions that can significantly impact your bottom line, empowering you to make the most of your culling decisions.
Prices for cull animals are typically lower in the fall months. This lower price is mainly due to the fact that this is when most people are getting rid of their culls, too. With this flood in the market, prices usually reach their highest points during the spring months of March, April, and May. If you have the resources available, holding them till the spring may be a good option for you.
When deciding whether to hold them over, you need to look at the cost of feeding them. Feeding for maintenance is the cheapest option, but it is still a cost. Investing too much money can negate any possible return that you may get.
Marketing and Selling Cull Animals
When it comes to culling livestock, maximizing the value of the animals you remove from your herd is essential. Marketing and selling cull animals strategically can help offset costs and even add a source of revenue. Timing is a critical factor. Market prices fluctuate throughout the year, so paying attention to market trends can allow you to sell when prices are higher, like during times of low supply. Additionally, ensuring the animal is in good condition, even if it’s being culled, can increase its market value.
Different marketing channels offer flexibility depending on your needs. Auctions provide a fast, efficient way to sell cull animals. However, prices can vary depending on the market conditions that day. On the other hand, private sales allow you to negotiate directly with buyers. They may result in better prices, especially if the buyer is looking for breeding stock or has specific requirements. Direct marketing for meat can also be an option, especially for producers interested in tapping into niche markets such as grass-fed or organic beef.
Proper preparation before sale can further enhance an animal’s value. Having the cull animal inspected and showing records of health, vaccination, and care history can make the animal more appealing to buyers. By being proactive in the marketing and sale process, you can turn culling animals into an opportunity to improve profitability.
