As we progress into the latter end of the lactation, it is time to look at moving on cull cows, as grass is becoming tighter on farms and the housing period is getting closer.
It has by no means been a lustrous year in terms of grass growth, which has left many farmers around the country tight on fodder supply for the winter.
The focus for farmers at this moment in time, is to see out a tough grazing year by extending their grazing season for as long as possible and building average farm cover (AFC) to build grass for next spring.
However, one way of saving on your fodder supply for the winter, extending the grazing season and building AFC that bit easier, is by moving on your cull cows.
Cull cows
With production costs through the roof in 2024 and poor grass growth rates and milk margins being tight at this time of year, there are more than likely cows in the herd that are not profitable.
The good milk price in recent months and the further increase in price coming through this month should not tempt farmers to milk marginal cows on.
Instead, farmers should focus on getting the most out of the good milk price through only milking cows that are profitable, allowing them to thrive with more grass and feed allocation.
It is unlikely that these decent grazing and ground conditions are going to stay for too long, and with grass growth not excelling, farmers may be forced into housing sooner, rather than later.
Therefore, any cull cows that remain in the herd should be removed and sent to the factory or the mart.
Milk production in spring-calving cows is quite low at this time of the year, with the majority of milk sales complete for the year.
At this time of year, it is unlikely that the milk that sold from cull cows is profitable – in fact, it is probably going to be a loss.
Milk production seems to be holding, milk price is decent, and conditions are adequate, which means the temptation for farmers may be to keep on these cows to flesh them up to get a better price in late November.
However, these cows will only be costing you money, fodder, time, and eating into your grass which may hinder how long you keep cows out this autumn and affect grass supply for next spring.
