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For more information about this area, please contact:

Russ Tronstad
Extension Economist

Phone: (520) 621-2425
Email: tronstad@ag.arizona.edu

Cow Culling Decision Support System

This interactive Decision Support System (DSS) will provide recommended culling decisions generated by the current version of the model described below. The purpose of the DSS is to provide ranchers educational information on cow culling decisions.

Quick Reference

For a quick review of the major components of the DDS choose one of the following topics:

• Biological Factors
• Market Factors
• Costs of Production
• Management Alternatives
• Joint Consideration of Biological and Market Factors
• The Value of Pregnancy Testing
• Managing Herd Composition

DSS Input

To generate the recommendations the DSS needs the following information: 

1. Whether it is spring or fall. The model makes different recommendations for each season and may recommend fall and/or spring calving strategies depending upon market conditions and the cost differential between spring and fall calves.
2. Whether the cow in question has a sale calf at its side. Our statistical analysis shows a small difference in productivity of cows with calves at side compared to those with no calves. Note that all cows with newborn calves at their side are kept regardless of cow age or cost differential.
3. The cost of a replacement bred heifer. $/hd
4. The current calf price. The model uses the average steer and heifer price for 400 to 500 lb animals. $/cwt
5. The cull value of the cow. $/hd

Once these values are entered on the form below, the model will return a graphic representation of the recommended culling decisions for all combinations of cow ages and cost differentials.

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1. Season

Fall Spring

2. Sale Calf at Side

Sale Calf at Side No Sale Calf at Side

3. Replacement Price Range $/hd

Less than $465 $465 to $555 $555 to $645 $645 to $735 $735 to $825 $825 to $915 More than $915

4. Current Calf Price Range $/cwt

Less than $64 $64 to $72 $72 to $80 $80 to $88 $88 to $96 $96 to $104 More than $104

5. Cull Cow Values $/HD

Less than $465 $465 to $475 $475 to $485 $485 to $550 More than $550

 

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