Toward an optimal culling strategy for beef cattle herds

Published in 1979

Alternatives available to the ranch manager for consideration in determining an optimal cattle culling strategy are discussed. -A model is developed for analyzing culling strategy based on alternatives of keep or sell with or without pregnancy testing.

Relevant exogenous variables include initial herd composition, animal weights, market prices, death and reproductive rates, and closing inventory values. Endogenous variables include the future herd composition, subsequent inventory values, and control variables specifying decision options.

Culling strategy is analyzed using a single stage (one period) linear programming model. Sensitivity of the optimal culling strategy to pregnancy rates and the ratio of the price of cows to yearling steers is discussed. The value of pregnancy test information is estimated to be relatively low for pregnancy rates ranging from ,6 to .95. It is predicted that the most benefit results from pregnancy testing of older, heavier cows without calves. Results are found to be consistent with a management program that does not arbitrarily sell breeding cows before the age of 10 and does not retain steer calves for sale as yearlings.

AZU_TD_BOX162_E9791_1979_325.pdf (1.75 MB)

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