For most cow/calf operations, sale of cull cows represents 15-25% of yearly gross revenues. These marketings also account for 10% of the federally inspected beef slaughter. Yet many producers fail to consider options that could help them maximize their net returns on these animals. One practice that can in many (but not all) situations improve profit is placing cull cows on feed for a limited time prior to sale.
This strategy hinges on three key points:
– Thin to moderate condition cows can gain weight efficiently
– There are significant price advantages to managing cows into a higher quality grade
– Consistent seasonal trends in market price offer higher cow prices in spring than in fall
The 1999 National Market Cow and Bull Beef Quality Audit showed that, on average, almost $70 was being left on the table for each cull cow sold. Of this, their analysis showed that receipts would increase $27.50 per head if health and condition were better monitored (selling cows before joint and eye problems become too advanced, and feeding cows to adequate muscling), and another $27.50 if the animals were marketed in a more timely manner. This message is not new; the 1994 audit report concluded at that time that feeding cull cows a concentrate diet before slaughter would net an additional $20 per animal.
Research at ColoradoStateUniversity showed that time on-feed improved both tenderness and yields of cow carcasses, without leading to excessive external fat deposits. They did find that the feeding period needed to be at least 7 or 8 weeks long to have a significant impact on tenderness, although gains improved immediately, and marbling was increased in just 4 weeks. Feeding a high-concentrate diet before slaughter also improves (whitens) the fat color in these cows.
Exact nutrient specifications for fed cows are not well defined, but Texas workers did prove the importance of supplying adequate protein to support rapid gains. In a 57-day feeding period, cows received a concentrate diet (.9% urea) with graded levels of cottonseed meal. Treatments were 11.5, 13.0 and 14.5% crude protein(CP), which translated into 7, 8.5, and 10% rumen-degradable protein(DIP). As CP and DIP increased, average daily gains improved from 2.71 to 2.73 to 2.99 lb/hd/day, a 10% increase. Dry matter intakes also rose 3% (from 20.25 to 20.5 to 21 lb/hd/day), while feed efficiency did not change.
There may be situations where it makes more sense to put additional gains on cows with forage and supplements, rather than a finishing-type ration. Again, protein level is important. This strategy was tested in Florida, where 12.5% CP hay was fed with various supplements. Simply supplying additional energy in the form of citrus pulp or molasses increased daily gains through the winter, but supplying molasses plus a supplemental protein source (in this case, cottonseed meal), further increased gains, as well as yielding improvements in carcass weight, marbling score, quality grade, dressing percent, and fat color.
Cow body condition score can be a good indicator of the potential value of putting cull cows on feed before slaughter. A study in Arkansas showed the relationship between BCS and quality grade, as well as net carcass value. Hot carcass weight, dressing %, fat thickness, ribeye area, and yield grade all improved as BCS increased from 2 to 8. All BCS 2 cows graded U.S. Cutter or lower; all BCS 7 and 8 cows were U.S. Utility. In this study, cows with a condition score of 6 represented optimal economic returns to both producers and packers (3/4 graded Utility, with minimal fat trim needed).
The value of feeding cows to a higher quality grade was also addressed in some South Dakota work. After evaluating historic data to quantify the average price spread between Canner, Cutter, and Utility cow carcasses, they ran a trial to determine impact of days on feed on carcass quality grade.
While it is obvious we can increase the carcass value of cull cows by putting them on feed, this improvement may or may not be enough to offset the costs of retained ownership and feeding. Another factor that must be considered is the seasonality of cow prices. This chart shows the historical price pattern for cull cows, based on Montana data. Iowa statistics show a historic 12% jump in prices from November to February, while Louisiana research indicated a 12-year average increase for that same time frame of $6.17/cwt. The decision to feed cull cows needs to be based on seasonal price expectations, the price difference between quality grades, the cost of feeding (including interest), and potential for improved value in a specific group of cows. Only plan to feed sound, healthy cows in thin to moderate condition, and feed and manage for fast, efficient gains (nutrient-dense diet, implants, ionophores). When the decision is made to hold and feed culls, liquid supplements can fit a wide range of feeding scenarios. If cows are to receive a forage-based diet, traditional liquids will supply needed degradable protein and sugar energy to maximize diet utilization and performance. “Complete” supplements can bring balanced nutrition, palatability, diet uniformity, and maximized gains and efficiency to bunk rations.
Source: Dr. Cathy Bandyk, Quality Liquid Feeds