Culling of cattle in a beef operation usually implies removing those that cannot meet or maintain performance and economic criteria for the herd. Other reasons may include physical or temperament problems in animals, as well as judicious culling during periods of environmental hardship or economic necessity. The judicious removal of nonperforming females is also important to maintain or improve herd fertility. However, the assumption that cull cows are necessarily infertile may not always be correct; recent surveys indicate that ~43% of cull cows in the USA are pregnant at the time of culling. All “open” females are not necessarily infertile. Identification of appropriate candidates for culling is critical and should be an important component of pregnancy testing.
OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER
Health-Management Interaction: Beef Cattle
Beef Cattle Breeding Herds
Reproduction
Cull Cow Selection and Management
Nutritional Management
Health and Production Management Program
Vaccinations
Calf Management
Replacement Heifers
General Health Management Considerations
Beef Feedlots
Economic Impact of Disease
Implementing a Feedlot Medicine Program
Feedlot Records
Vaccination Protocols
Nutritional Advice
Disease Epidemics
Control and Prevention of Disease in Feedlot Cattle
Beef Quality Assurance and Beef Safety Programs
Development of Antimicrobial-resistant Bacteria in Feedlot Cattle
