Reported death losses were highest in the South and lowest in the North. This difference among regions represents a significant economic loss for herds in the South region. Little or no salvage value is received for cows that die and additional costs are incurred for disposal. Involuntary culling occurs when a cow leaves because of an accident, disease, injury or death. Voluntary culling occurs when a cow is sold because she does not meet certain herd standards such as a minimum level of milk production.
Cows sold to other producers for dairy purposes are also voluntary culls.
In order to improve a herd's production efficiency and profitability, the number of cows culled involuntarily must be reduced. A starting point is to begin accurately recording the reasons cows are leaving your herd. Then determine which of the involuntary culling categories is high. Certainly the highpercentage of cows leaving for reproduction and death in the south region is a cause for concern. Much progress has been made in reducing heat stress on many farms.