A:   I seem to be getting this question more and more and this is likely due to the annual increase in pasture prices. I have searched and can't find data where they have dry lotted cows and bred for an entire breeding season. There are data where they have dry lotted cows and AI'ed then turned to pasture and natural bred. The conception rate to AI (AI'ed once) in these experiments was in the 60% range which would be pretty typical. Following are my comments in regard to advantages and disadvantages of dry lotting beef cows.

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