There are times I would disagree with the statement that there is no use feeding open cows. This time of year is normally the cheapest time for slaughter cows. It is also the time that most people preg check their cows and sell for slaughter the open ones. They are generally suckled down so they dont weigh as much and bring less for slaughter. I have made alot of money buying the open cows now and either selling them in March as slaughter cows or as 2nd period cows or even holding until June to sell as 3rd period cows. If a cow puts on 100 lbs and adds 15 dollars per hundred to the slaughter price by march, she will bring around 200 dollars more then than now. Many times they will bring 300 more as a second period cow and 400-500 more as a springer. So, my experience is to feed that open cow, keep the bull with her to get her bred and then sell either in March or later, either as a slaughter cow or as a bred cow. If she is a huge, real fat cow now, you might as well sell her because she wont retain her weight in the winter