News

Cattle producers face tough decisions as cull cow values remain historically strong

An ag economist says the strength in the cull cow market is one of the factors contributing to the slow expansion of the cattle herd.  

Kenny Burdine with the University of Kentucky says producers have to carefully evaluate their options. “How likely am I to hang on to that cow who was kind of a borderline decision as she’s approaching the end of her productive life,” he says.  “I’m going to have to weigh what if we were to the cull cow right now or what is the likelihood she produces me another calf in the coming year?” 

He says in recent years producers have held cows longer rather than investing in replacement heifers, but that has long-term implications for the cattle herd. “It’s a much shorter time frame when we think about holding on to these cows a little bit longer,” he says. “This cow herd gets older, at some point it has to be culled a bit harder. So I think that’s definitely a shorter term way to keep these calf numbers moving.” 

Jackie Moore, owner of Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri, says he’s not seeing as many cows moving through the sale barn. “We sold and sold and sold on those little herds of cows,” he says. “There’s not nearly as many cows around to be had as there were even two years ago. They’re holding on to what they have because the calves bring a lot of money, and they’re going to replace them with some young cows or some heifers if they can find them.” 

But he tells Brownfield, “It’s going to be a slow rebuild. And I just don’t know how long it’s going to take, but it’s going to take quite a while.” 

The USDA’s July 24 Cattle on Feed and Cattle Inventory reports should provide a clearer indication of whether there is widespread herd expansion underway.