Rosslyn Biggs, DVM- One of the most important management tools available to cattle producers is culling. While the decision to remove an animal from the herd is not always easy, objective culling can improve herd productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability. Strategic data-driven culling helps producers manage resources more efficiently and maintain herd health.
The foundation of any cow-calf operation is a productive, efficient cow herd. Cows that consistently fail to contribute to profitability should be candidates for culling.
Common reasons to remove cows include:
· Disposition: Aggressive or unmanageable cows pose safety risks to handlers and other animals. Quiet, docile cows reduce labor stress and improve overall herd handling efficiency.
· Reproductive Performance: Open cows and late calvers reduce herd efficiency. Because reproduction drives profitability, open cows are typically culled first. Pregnancy checks provide valuable information to make objective culling decisions. Additionally, cows with histories of dystocia or lost calves should be high on the cull sheet.
· Age and Longevity: Advancing age often brings declining fertility, dental wear, and structural issues. Cows that can no longer maintain body condition or wean a competitive calf should be evaluated for removal.
· Udder and Teat Structure: Poor udder conformation increases the risk of mastitis, reduces calf nursing ability, and may impact calf growth. Cows with pendulous udders or large, bottle-shaped teats are often good candidates for culling.
· Health and Structural Soundness: Chronic lameness, poor feet and leg structure, bad eyes, or other long-term health problems can significantly affect productivity. Cows that are found to be long-term carriers of infectious disease should be removed. Removing cows before conditions become chronic decreases input costs and potential welfare concerns.
· Calf Performance: Evaluation of a cow’s calves given the heritability of carcass weight, conformation, and other production factors should be considered. Producers must analyze records to determine which cows make the most overall profit.
Although fewer in number, herd bulls are essential to herd performance especially reproductive metrics. One underperforming bull can affect an entire breeding season, making culling decisions critical. Considerations for bulls include:
· Fertility: Breeding soundness exams (BSEs) are essential to identify bulls that are subfertile or sterile. Bulls that fail a BSE or do not settle cows consistently should be removed. BSEs should be performed before each breeding season.
· Age and Longevity: Younger bulls typically have higher fertility and longevity, but older bulls may remain productive if structurally sound. Once age-related decline becomes apparent, timely replacement must be considered.
· Soundness and Structure: Bulls must be physically capable of breeding cows. Issues such as bad feet, leg weakness, or injury can render a bull ineffective.
· Disposition: Just as with cows, aggressive or dangerous bulls should be culled to protect handlers and other livestock.
The timing of culling can also affect profitability particularly given the current market. Cull cow and
bull prices fluctuate seasonally. Planning culling decisions around market conditions, feed availability, and forage supplies can improve returns.
Thoughtful culling is a proactive management strategy that strengthens herd performance over time. By evaluating cows and bulls on reproduction, soundness, disposition, and longevity, producers can ensure that resources are directed toward the most productive animals. In today’s competitive cattle industry, strategic culling is not simply about removing animals—it is about building a stronger, more profitable herd for the future.
