Plan to Cull
The 60-Day Culling Limit
Old, open or ornery means an automatic ticket to town for Jacot Ranch cows. That's just simple economics for Paul Jacot and his son, John. But the Moline, Kan., cow/calf men have been changing their culling strategy lately in order to head the herd in a whole new direction.
"Our first cut is to eliminate any cow that hasn't calved in a 60-day period," Paul explained. "At weaning, cows that are thin and look like they'll require extra winter feed will be gone. We want low-input cows that fit our environment. We cull fairly young to change the cow herd faster and to maximize the value of the culls."
Culling by type varies with operational goals, but there are plenty of universal issues facing the industry. Glenn Selk, Extension beef specialist emeritus with Oklahoma State University, said seasonality is typically an issue in cull cow prices with a traditional October-to-November price dip. Producers who want to add weight to thin cows or hold them past seasonal lows should calculate the benefits carefully.
TWELVE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
Cows are generally consistent in reproductive efficiency through age 8, and fairly consistent until about age 10. At age 12, though, it really begins to go over the cliff, Selk warns. His advice is to be observant as cows age, especially when it comes to checking teeth. When a cow hits 12, consider culling before she begins to lose body condition.
"Some cows are going to be broken-mouthed before they reach 12," he added. "There are differences in regions, breeds and individuals. But you don't want to take that broken-mouth cow through the winter. Cull her before she gets thin and while she still has value."
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"OPEN" MEANS OPEN THE TRAILER GATE
Unless her genetics are a national treasure, there's hardly ever a good reason to take an open cow through the winter, Selk asserted. Besides running up the feed bill, she may be an inconsistent breeder the rest of her life. A replacement heifer that shows up open is a particularly bad gamble. Studies indicate her lifespan calving rate will be around 55%.
"Sell her as soon as you find out she's open," Selk recommended. "Take her to town while she's young enough to bring a yearling heifer price. If you wait until spring, she'll go as a heiferette and bring less."
BAD UDDERS ARE BAD NEWS
A big, pendulous udder and funnel-shaped teats are characteristics that absolutely justify a trip to town. The issue here is colostrum, Selk explained. Newborn calves instinctively look for milk above the hock, and a low-hanging udder can add hours to the search. The delay reduces intake of immunoglobulins that protect the calf from illnesses. The calf with compromised immunity will shed more disease organisms, increasing the exposure rate for herd mates. Also, a calf nursing a cow with one or more dry quarters will have a significantly lower weaning weight.
DON'T WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
The wild cow is not only a danger to the humans who have to deal with her, but she's a drag on the entire industry. Noting a heritability component in disposition, Selk said an ornery cow's calves are less likely to gain up to their potential. In addition, they're more prone to being "dark cutters" and getting discounted at processing.
THOSE FEET ARE MADE FOR WALKING
Bad stifle joints, severe foot rot and arthritis reduce value and performance. Be on the lookout for screw claw -- the outside toe curling to the inside -- which makes cows prone to lameness. Since it's a genetic condition, the cow with screw claw is inclined to pass on the trait.
EYEING A DISASTER
Bad eyes are an inconvenience in the pasture, but they're a disaster in the packing house. "Cancer eye" is the No. 1 cause of condemned carcasses. Watch for small, pinkish growths on eyelids and the eyeball. Small growths can become cancerous lesions, and, when cancer engulfs the eyeball, the carcass will be condemned.
THIN COWS SELL CHEAP
Finally, the animal scientist said it's economically critical to cull cows before they get too thin. An estimated 10% to 20% of gross herd income is typically from cull cows. Salvage value is ravaged by the double whammy of low dressing percentage and low live weight. Besides having less product to sell, "lights" bruise more easily and are more likely to go down in transit.
(AG)
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