INVESTIGATOR: Sanson, D. W.; DeRouen, S. M.; Wegenhof, K. N.; Foster, D. H.

FEEDING CULL COWS FOR ADDED INCOME

OBJECTIVES: 

1. Determine the potential of using roughage base diets to provide the level of gain required to improve the quality grade of canner cows to utility in the period from November to March. 
   
2. Evaluate the economic implications of purchasing and marketing of cull cows fed during the winter in Louisiana.

APPROACH: 
Cows will be purchased in late October to early November and placed on dietary treatments
estimated to provide 1.5 pounds of gain. Weight gain and condition score will be evaluated during the feeding period. In late february to early march, cows will be slaughtered and carcass data collected. This data will be used to evaluate the economic potential of feeding cows for a moderate level of gain.

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: 
Cull cow prices are depressed in the fall when the supply is excessive, while prices increase in the spring when the supply is short. The rate of gain of thin cows is high . This project evaluates the economics of purchasing thin cows in the depressed market in the fall, feeding the cows for moderate levels of gain, and selling them when the market increases in the spring.