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The sale of cull cows often accounts for 15% to 30% of the yearly gross revenue in cow-calf operations, making it an important part of overall profitability. Traditionally, cull cow prices have been lowest in late fall and highest in early spring. However, with the U.S. beef cow herd now at its smallest level in decades and strong global demand for lean grinding beef, seasonal price swings have narrowed. Prices have remained historically strong through much of the year, with only modest softening expected this fall.
When deciding how to manage cull cows, the two primary windows for marketing are late summer or early spring. In years when prices are stable and feed costs are high — as is the case this year — selling culls earlier in the fall can make sense. Feeding culls through the winter to capture a spring rally may still work if you have access to lowcost feed such as crop residues, distillers grains, or cull feedstuffs. The key is that the expected price increase in the spring must outweigh the cost of feed, yardage, and risk.
Feeding cows for a period of time can add value by improving final weights, dressing percentage, and quality grade. Research has shown that upgrading from a Canner to Utility grade can increase carcass value by around 18%. Work from UNL and South Dakota State University indicates that cows can gain 2.5 to 3.3 pounds per head per day on moderate to high-energy rations, depending on feeding length and ration type. Shorter feeding periods often produce higher average daily gains and better feed efficiency. Feeding programs should generally be limited to 110 days or less to avoid overconditioning, as overly fat cows can be discounted at harvest.
Cows in thin to moderate body condition and sound health are best suited for feeding programs. Provide 20 to 24 inches of bunk space per head, and adapt them to high-energy rations gradually to minimize digestive issues. Unsound cows or those carrying excess condition are typically best marketed directly to the packer rather than placed on feed.
Grazing cull cows on corn stalks or annual forages can also be a cost-effective option. This year, corn residue quality may vary due to fungal pressure and weathering, so evaluate stalk quality before turnout. With proper supplementation, weight gains of 2.0 to 2.5 pounds per head per day are achievable; without supplement, gains closer to 1.5 pounds per day are more typical. Energy supplementation often pays off, especially when residue quality declines rapidly over time.
Because cull cows are less efficient than younger animals, maximizing returns requires careful management. Evaluate all possible tools, including the use of ionophores and implants where appropriate, and ensure withdrawal times are met for any feed additives. Finally, develop a balanced ration that supports your target rate of gain and desired marketing window.
With historically strong cull prices and high feed costs, it’s more important than ever to evaluate your resources and market options. For many operations, selling culls this fall while prices remain firm may provide the best return. However, if lowcost feed is available, a short-term feeding program can still add value and boost your bottom line.
-Ben Beckman is a beef systems Extension Educator serving northeast Nebraska. He is based out of the Cedar County Extension office in Hartington. You can reach him by phone: (402) 234-6821 or email: ben. [email protected] mailto:[email protected]
