Culling Priorities at Preg Checking

In a year of a drought or several years of drought, culling cows in a herd becomes a must to maintain the operation.  There are times in life when tough decisions must be made, and in the beef business that can come when feed resources are limited or a time of generational transition.

River Valley District Livestock Production Agent Kaitlyn Hildebrand says cows that are not bred are often the first ones to leave the ranch when making a culling decision.

Hildebrand says the first thing you want to know in making a culling decision is it just for this year or if it is a situation where there is going to be a reduction in the herd size over multiple years.

The other important factor to consider when culling cows is the temperament of the animal.

If you have any questions, please contact Hildebrand in the Concordia office at (785) 243-8185 or at khildebrand@ksu.edu.