As Missouri experiences dry weather and short pastures, cattle farmers are facing difficult decisions to ensure the well-being of their herds. Selling cows is one way to align their needs with the available grass. Eric Bailey, a beef nutritionist from the University of Missouri Extension, emphasizes the importance of identifying cows that should be culled during drought conditions.
The first step is to sell cows that are not pregnant or nursing, as there is limited forage to support freeloaders. Lactating cows with poor disposition, eyes, feet, or udders should also be culled, along with cows with blemishes or underperforming calves.
While culling poor-performing cows improves overall herd averages, it is essential to preserve the best genetics within the herd for as long as possible. Downsizing efforts can extend beyond removing underperforming cows. Early weaning and selling calves can reduce feed demand, although it may affect annual income. Another strategy involves dividing the herd into young and old females and selling one group.
The level of de-stocking depends on the forage outlook for summer, fall, and winter feeding. As rainfall patterns vary, planning downsizing becomes crucial. Missouri producers dealing with cool-season grass typically experience summer slumps, and even if rains return, below-average fall forage yields are expected. Winter feed shortages pose long-term challenges, and severe de-stocking might be necessary for many farms.
In these challenging times, making tough management decisions becomes imperative for the long-term sustainability of cow-calf businesses. By being proactive and minimizing losses during adverse conditions, producers can weather the storm and ensure their resilience in the industry.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-Jacqueline Nix
Categories: Missouri, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Weather