Considerations before selling cull cows this fall

In the beef cattle business, there are a couple of things I want to bring to the attention of producers occurring in the fall. One, especially peculiar this fall, is the last opportunity to cost effectively increase cow body condition.
Cow body condition at calving has a huge effect on how quick a cow will re-breed and therefore herd reproductive efficiency. The diet must contain adequate energy to maintain or increase the cow’s degree of fatness (condition). 
Pasture grass that accumulates during the spring and summer months will be low in protein in the fall. More importantly, this stockpiled forage can be quite hard for the cow to digest even though it is green. The objective of economical beef cow nutritional programs is to obtain most of the needed energy from low-quality forages. The primary principle of supplementation is to improve the intake and digestibility of the forage. The only supplemental feeds which will consistently meet the goals of improving both intake of the forage and its digestibility are high protein (38 to 41 percent natural protein) range cubes. 
Fall is a unique time when a small amount of feed (protein supplement) can cause a significant increase in weight gain and body condition. Cows in excellent condition with a little body fat could possibly require less energy under cold stress which occurs later in the winter. The extra condition put on at this time costs far less than trying to regain it at a later date.
Thus, the feeding of a small amount of high-protein supplement to cattle grazing ample quantities of low-quality forage is usually the least expensive method of providing energy to cows in Oklahoma. This is usually two to four pounds. Increasing the body condition of cows before heading into the cold, wet winter weather when forage quality is deteriorating can increase the odds of getting spring calving cows re-bred on time to maintain a one year calving interval.
As producers begin to wean their calf crops, many take the opportunity to also cull their cow herds. Before selling those cull cows this fall producers should take the following into consideration.
First, fall is typically the low seasonal price for cull cows. Cull cow prices typically start to decline starting in August and continue until reaching their seasonal low in November. Then prices typically improve until they peak again in the summer. Historically, we find cows culled during this period can bring significantly less than seasonal highs.
Second is the latest announcement by CWT to hold the third round of the dairy herd retirement program this fall. This latest round of the dairy herd retirement program will bring more than 80,000 dairy cattle to slaughter some time this fall causing prices to decline, possibly, even further.
Third is the opportunity to hold those cull cows until early February and possibly increase their value. A recent OSU fact sheet (AGEC-619) shows that keeping cull cows from October until February and feeding them on a low-cost forage program could earn producers $20 per head. Of course, a producer would need to examine their own forage/feed situation before holding these cows over the winter feeding period.
When producers sell cull cows in the fall, prices are typically at their seasonal lows. This year prices may be pressured even lower by the dairy herd retirement cattle coming to slaughter. Producers may want to evaluate their options to see if retaining those cull cows into the early spring may be more profitable.