Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension emeritus animal scientist, said producers are typically faced with many questions: At what age is she going to become less productive, start to have problems keeping enough body condition through the winter to rebreed into next year or experience mouth problems that can negatively affect her nutritionally in terms of harvesting forage?

“Obviously there is no one set rule to determine when a cow is culled, but understanding average trends can serve as guidelines and help cow-calf producers cull the herd in a timely and effective manner,” he said.

To make matters more challenging, there is great variability in the longevity of beef cows. Fortunately, records kept by a large ranching operation in Florida in the 1980s and published in the 33rd Annual Proceedings of the Beef Cattle Short Course by the University of Florida Animal Science Department, show how productivity changes over the life of the beef cows.

“These records have provided the cattle industry with large data sets – 19,500 cows and 14,000 cows in two separate years – to compare the average percentage of cows determined to be pregnant based on their age in years,” he said.

The data indicates cows are consistent in the rebreeding performance through about eight years of age. A small decline was noted as cows aged from eight to 10 years of age, with the most consistent decline in reproductive performance being noted after cows were 10 years of age.

“A steeper decline in reproductive performance was found as they became 12 years of age,” Selk said. “In other words, start to watch for reasons to cull a cow at about eight years of age.  By the time she is 10 years old, examine her very closely and consider culling. As she reaches 12 years of age, plan to cull her before she gets health problems or is in very poor body condition.”

Oklahoma ranks as the nation’s third-leading producer of beef cows, according to National Agricultural Statistics Service data.

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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Donald Stotts
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
143 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-4079
Fax: 405-744-5739
Email: [email protected]     

Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating; Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.

 

Read more http://www.dasnr.okstate.edu/Members/donald-stotts-40okstate.edu/awareness-of-2018average-trends2019-can-help-with-cow-culling-decisions

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