A:   As pasture prices continue to increase and as grain (corn) prices remain low, producers will look to lower production costs, especially feed cost and dry-lotting cows may be an option. If you do dry-lot cows, it would be important that the lot be big enough or you have an adjacent pasture that can be used as an exercise lot. When you indicate dry-lotting cows, I assume that cows may have calves at their side and breeding may occur in the lot.

Disadvantages:

• need feed bunks, 24 to 36 inches per head, this is important if all age groups are managed together
• equipment to deliver the feed
• need the hay to be ground or have it ground, therefore you can mix in low quality forages to make the diet economical
• need a more intensive herd health program for both cows and calves, also may have more feet and legs problems
• need an area that calves can get away from the cows, especially during the breeding season
• need to be really good at managing the diet
• need to observe bulls frequently during the breeding season for injury

• may reduce production costs
• can use or buy low quality forages and mix in cheap grain and supplement to meet the needs of the herd
• calves are ready eat out of a bunk once they are weaned - bunk broke
• may lend it-self to using artificial insemination because cows are propably close to a chute and working facility