Episode 288 - Dairy Culling Deep Dive: The Hidden Value of Your Cows - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

Abstract

Dairy Cow Culling Research Insights. In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad takes a break while guest hosts Emily and Joe dive into a recent research study from the University of Minnesota on dairy cow culling. The study, spanning 14 years of data, compares Holstein and crossbred cows, uncovering key insights about the reasons for culling and its economic impact. Did you know that dairy cows make up 10% of the U.S. beef market? In this episode of The Moos Room, guest hosts Emily and Joe break down a new University of Minnesota study analyzing 14 years of dairy cow culling data. The study compares Holsteins and crossbred cows, revealing key factors that influence culling decisions, market value, and farm profitability. What You’ll Learn: why cows are culled (poor reproduction & mastitis top the list), how cull cows impact the beef market and farm revenue, which cows bring in the most money—Holsteins vs. crossbreds, how seasonal trends & lactation cycles affect cull value, the future of dairy genetics—is a shift toward dual-purpose cows coming? This episode challenges the traditional view of dairy culling and explores how breeding, management, and market trends are shaping the future of dairy farming. Valuing Cull Cows (https://extension.umn.edu/pasture-based-dairy/valuing-crossbred-cull-cows), Reasons for disposal and cull cow value of Holstein cows compared with Holstein, Jersey, Montbéliarde, Normande, and Viking Red crossbred cows (https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(24)00991-3/fulltext).