HERD MANAGEMENT KEEP OR CULL DURING A DROUGHT? from South Dakota State University Cooperative Extension With drought conditions impacting much of the western U.S., management practices on the cow/calf operation are being adjusted to compensate for the shortage of forage and other resources. One of the adjustments started back in May for some producers was choosing to reduce herd size or purchasing more feed to make it through the summer and into winter. Depending on the going price for cattle, feed price and location, this choice varied from producer to producer. Things to Consider As we get near the end of August and conditions have improved some but have not reversed, producers face the decision on how to tackle weaning and prepare for next spring. Early weaning has been implemented in many cases to save pasture yet this fall. Now to keep and feed or sell weaned calves is the next big decision in the near future. Weaned heifer calves and bred heifers become a particular concern as replacement female programs may not follow the traditional system this year if feed is in short supply to get through the winter. Ask yourself these questions: can I afford not to develop replacement heifers for next year? Should I sell heifer calves and buy back bred heifers or cows? Heifers or cows; which will make best use of feed resources available? Adding up the dollars and cents will ultimately be the best way to make this decision. While recent rains may delay some of these decisions, applying some intensive selection and management can assist you in keeping the “right” females this year, and sell the rest to ultimately improve the herd. These can be
50 California Cattleman July • August 2022
a key step to success, regardless if you are experiencing a drought or even during normal years. REPLACEMENT HEIFERS Keep the oldest heifers and feed the youngest. Females born earlier in the calving season are more likely to reach puberty and breed earlier. Furthermore, by breeding early their first year, they are more likely to breed back early each year, thus, returning more dollars to the operation due to larger calves each weaning. Cull any heifers from cows you have or will likely cull. Some traits can pass on more than others. Disposition and udder quality being some of those more highly heritable traits. Therefore, if her mom caused you trouble before she paid herself off on the ranch, it’s likely that any daughters kept as replacements may follow in the same path. Feed to 55 percent of mature body weight by breeding. The debate to feed to 65 percent versus 55 percent mature body weight can vary from operation to operation. Yet, when feed resources are short, planning to develop them only to 55 percent will likely get you farther down the road. Yes, less heifers will breed during the designated time, but more emphasis would be placed on heifers that can get bred on the resources they have. Ultimately, they ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 52
