What does the practice of "culling" involve in livestock management?

Culling in livestock management refers specifically to the practice of removing animals from a herd or flock based on specific criteria. This criteria can include factors such as health issues, poor reproductive performance, low productivity, age, and undesirable traits that can negatively affect the herd's overall performance.

By implementing culling, livestock managers aim to improve the genetic quality and overall health of the herd, as well as to maintain efficient production levels. This process helps to ensure that only the healthiest and most productive animals remain, which can lead to better herd performance, reduced disease transmission, and improved economic outcomes for the operation.

Enhancing breeding through genetic testing, increasing herd size, and focusing solely on feeding programs do not encompass the concept of culling. While these aspects are essential to livestock management, they do not involve the act of selectively removing animals from the herd based on predetermined criteria.