Southern Alberta feedlot -- LNN

By Dori Modney/LNN with files from the Beef Cattle Research Council

Tough decisions for beef producers due to drought

Aug 31, 2021 | 4:47 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A lot of cattle producers are wrangling over how to handle their cattle herds as fall approaches. Drought conditions have reduced feed availability and drastically increased the cost of the feed that is available

Cattle producers coping with severe drought and feed shortages are making tough decisions about culling, weaning and cow management. Stacey Domolewski, research and innovation coordinator with the Beef Cattle Research Council, says working with a nutritionist is the first step for farmers and ranchers to know what they have on hand for feed and how to cull accordingly.

“When it comes to culling, the first thing you should be thinking about is how much feed you have – so, taking a feed test and getting that analyzed will help you narrow down and decide what you need to keep for cows, and what you need to consider culling. The other thing to think about, is that cows with the ideal amount of fat cover – so a body condition score of 3.0 – eat less and are easier to maintain through the winter and get rebred. So culling early helps keep the remainder of the herd that you’re planning on keeping, in good condition.”

Domolewski goes on to explain that when you’re thinking of culling, there are a few other things to consider, such as now being the time to let go of any of the cattle that you may have let slide in previous culls.

“So check your records – cull anything that has a bad temperament, that you’ve treated regularly for health issues or weaned calves that perform below herd benchmarks. As well, this might be the year to invest in ‘preg checking’ your herd. That investment will probably pay off and allow you to cull any ‘open’ or late-calving cows. Also consider culling any bulls that are a little older or producing less than desireable progeny, based on what you have on record.”

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When large numbers need to be culled from the herd, Domolewski notes producers are often faced with the decision to sell their younger or older females.

“So, when it comes to keeping heifers versus cows, there are trade-offs and deciding which you would prefer for your operation. For example, heifers are probably introducing new genetics into your herd, whereas cows are more likely to be adapted to your specific environment and management practices. Heifers are more likely to stay in your herd a bit longer but, cows on the other hand, have probably paid for themselves already with the calves they’ve produced. Heifers eat less feed, but they require a higher quality feed to allow them to grow and produce a healthy calf and heifers are less likely to re-breed after the first calf, if their nutrition is lacking, compared to cows. Another thing to consider is that heifers are more likely to require added labour and time during calving.”

For producers considering early weaning, Domolewski reminds them that early weaned calves bring management challenges and producers may need to look at retaining ownership to get the most value out of the calves. That being said, she concedes there are benefits to weaning calves early in a drought.

“Your cows are more likely to maintain that adequate body condition score, when they’re not producing milk. Ideal body producing scores do a number of things like fewer calving problems, more cows being re-bred the next year and there`s even some evidence to suggest that cows that have their calf weened early have larger calves the following year.”

“It also causes reduced stress on the pasture and over-all feed requirements, as calves consume a significant amount of feed with their dames at this age.”

For those planning on dry lotting their cow herd to get them through the winter, Domolewski added a few considerations.

“The first thing is that cows may not be adept to that system, but it`s often easier to maintain cow condition in a dry lot, even though it comes at an added cost. So, whether it’s sending cows to the feedlot or dry-lotting cattle at home, make sure you`re running the numbers and that the economics make sense on your operation. If cows are being managed in a feed lot, keep in mind that they`ll probably be co-mingled or sharing a fence with other herds, so there`s disease risk there. There’s also some things to suggest that reducing exercise so the cows aren’t moving around as much, may result in difficulties during calving season.”

More drought management resources can be found on the Beef Cattle Research Council web page.