# How Dairy Cows Are Culled from Freestall-Housed Dairy Herds in Wisconsin

## TL;DR

This study explores how Wisconsin dairy farmers decide to cull cows, finding that decisions are often based on milk production, fertility, and udder health, with limited use of structured data or veterinary input.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into culling practices on Wisconsin dairy farms and identifies opportunities for improving decision-making through better record-keeping and veterinary involvement.

## Key findings

- Most farms used individual cow records rather than organized reports for culling decisions.
- Milk production, infertility, and udder health were the primary reasons for culling.
- Only a small percentage of farms recorded multiple reasons for culling, and euthanasia was often performed without veterinary input.

## Abstract

Dairy farmers regularly remove cows from their herds, a process known as culling, to maintain productivity and manage herd health. However, little is known about how these decisions are actually made on farms. This study surveyed 60 dairy farms in Wisconsin to understand how farmers decide which cows to remove. Most farms used computer records to help make decisions, but typically relied on individual cow data rather than organized reports. Farmers often prioritized milk production, fertility, and udder health when choosing cows to cull, and many found it difficult to remove cows that still produced a lot of milk. While most farms sent cows directly to slaughter, some also sold them to other farms or sent them to auction. Decisions about euthanasia were usually made by farmers without input from veterinarians. The study found that record-keeping was inconsistent, and few farms recorded more than one reason for removing a cow. These findings suggest that better tools and more veterinary involvement could help farmers make more informed and humane decisions. Improving how culling decisions are made could benefit animal welfare, farm efficiency, and the environment.

Efforts to improve efficiency and profitability on dairy farms have renewed focus on how culling practices affect herd sustainability and economic outcomes. This study surveyed decision-makers on 60 high-producing, freestall-housed dairy farms in Wisconsin, with a mean (SD) turnover rate of 36.0 (8.0)%. Using a structured questionnaire, we examined herd management, culling criteria, and motivations. Most farms (93%) used on-farm management systems to guide culling, yet only 48% used designated reports, relying instead on individual cow records. Milk production, infertility, and somatic cell count were the top culling criteria, with high milk yield cited as the most difficult factor in removal decisions. While 54% recorded the most obvious reason for culling, only 7% documented multiple causes. Cull cows were typically transported by third parties; 80% farms sent cows directly to slaughter, while 52% sent them to auction. One-third of farms sold cows for continued dairy use. Euthanasia was performed on 93% of farms, mostly by employees, with minimal veterinary input. The study aimed to investigate producer perspectives on the culling decision-making process on commercial dairy farms. The findings highlight opportunities for improved veterinary involvement and the use of structured herd-level reports to support more strategic culling decisions.