Cull beef cows to improve bottom line

University of Missouri

April 15, 2008 12:38 pm

— Culling the beef herd is a common cost-effective management practice for any beef cattle operation.
“Culling has even become more important as input costs like feed, fuel, and fertilizer strain the bottom line,” said Gary Naylor, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
Beef cows can become unprofitable for many reasons, but a producer can’t make good management decisions without individual cow records.
“It is a necessity to identify both cows and calves to see what kind of performance you are getting,” said Naylor. “Records will help you determine age and reproductive performance of the cows.”
Those cows that are open or don’t breed back in a timely manner are good candidates for culling.
According to Naylor, bad feet or leg problems that impair the cow from getting around should be another reason to consider culling.
When cows are in the chute, check their udders to see that all quarters are functioning. Large teats that keep the calf from nursing at birth are another reason for culling a cow according to Naylor.
“It all boils down to the fact that if a cow can’t raise a good calf every year for any reason, she needs to be moved out of the herd and replaced with one that will,” said Naylor.
Traditionally, price for cull cows are better in the spring and summer.
“Now may be the best time to check your record book and get rid of the cows that don’t contribute to a profitable bottom line,” said Naylor.
For more information, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mt. Vernon, (417) 466-3102; Gary Naylor in Dallas County, (417) 345-7551; and Dona Funk in Cedar County, (417) 276-3313.

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