We are currently in the worst drought North Carolina has seen since 2007-08. Most of the state, including Stokes County, is in a D3 drought level. If you're interested in more details and comparisons, visit the NC State Climate Office.
My point in this article is to share that NOW is the time to consider culling your least productive livestock. Pastures are short, hay is scarce, and we don't know what the future holds. Decreasing your stocking rate on your pastures, can help you get more grazing days. Evaluate your stock's age, reproductive status, body condition score (BCS), docility, parasite resistance and more to help you rank who to cull. You can access a Google Sheet version of a spreadsheet or a pdf version to assist you with your decision making.
Buy any needed hay AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Visit the NC Hay Finder to help you. We are hearing hay yields of 50% of normal years, all the way down to only 10%, so there is going to be a shortage.
Consider early weaning of calves, lambs, kids, etc.
Find more information about culling cows in the Alliance for Grassland Renewal Blog Post.
Feel free to reach out to April Bowman, Livestock Agent, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Stokes County Center, or 336-593-8179 for help deciding who to cull.
