MANAGEMENT

Poor reproductive performance, disposition and structural soundness are common reasons for culling beef cows from the herd. The most convenient time to cull cows is following weaning or pregnancy checking in the fall, which can help reduce winter feed costs.

In Part 1 of this article published in the August 2017 issue of Progressive Cattleman, we evaluated the biological efficiency of beef cows with different mature weights and peak milk production when calves were sold at weaning.

As many producers are aware, the U.S. beef industry has been in expansion mode wherever forage resources will allow and where beef production can outcompete alternative land uses. While there is much debate on where cows will go, there is also some mobility as we see cows leave drought-stricken (or flooded) areas and eventually some come back.

In light of volatility in commercial fertilizer prices, integrated crop and livestock operations are increasingly recognizing the value of manure as fertilizer.

“If it takes more than two sentences to describe your cattle to a buyer, plan on getting discounted,” said Tom Brink, CEO of Red Angus Association and a past president of J&F Oklahoma Holdings, the cattle procurement and ownership arm of Five Rivers Cattle Feeding.

Uncastrated calves going to the feedlot or packing plant bring a discounted price.