Making culling decisions during the calving season is an important management practice that can significantly improve herd profitability in the long run. While removing animals from the herd can be a difficult decision, addressing problem cows early helps prevent repeated issues in future calving seasons. Cows that experience calving difficulty, vaginal prolapses or other complications during one calving season are more likely to encounter similar problems in subsequent years, making timely culling decisions essential.
One major reason for culling mature cows after calving is poor reproductive performance. Reproductive issues that arise during calving can directly impact a cow’s ability to breed back and remain productive in the herd. Prolapses are a common concern and can be divided into two types: vaginal and uterine. Vaginal prolapse, which involves the outer reproductive tract, has a high likelihood of recurring in future pregnancies. For this reason, cows that suffer from vaginal prolapse should be culled to prevent ongoing reproductive issues and increased management challenges. In contrast, uterine prolapse typically occurs immediately after calving and is usually considered a situational event. When treated promptly and correctly, uterine prolapse does not significantly increase the likelihood of recurrence, and these cows do not necessarily need to be culled.
Calving date is another important factor when making culling decisions. Cows that calve later in the season tend to produce lighter-weight calves at weaning, which reduces overall herd profitability. Additionally, late-calving cows often have less time to recover and rebreed within a reasonable breeding window, increasing the risk of open cows the following year. Maternal traits should also be evaluated during this time, including udder attachment, teat size and overall milk production. Cows that fail to produce adequate milk or have poor udder structure may struggle to raise a healthy calf and should be considered for culling.
Structural soundness is another key consideration. Issues such as lameness, hoof problems and leg structure defects can limit a cow’s ability to graze effectively, especially in Western grazing systems where cows must travel long distances over rough terrain. If structural issues are observed during the spring, producers should make note of the cow’s condition and monitor her performance throughout the grazing season. If problems persist or worsen, plans should be made to cull the cow in the fall.
The majority of culling decisions for the cow herd should be identified during the calving season as issues arise. Accurate recordkeeping, including tag numbers and reasons for culling, is critical. In many cases, cows can still raise their calves and be culled at weaning. Identifying problems such as prolapses or poor udders early helps prevent retaining cows that will create challenges in future calving seasons. Good records kept this year will make management decisions smoother and more effective next year.
