Which of the following is a common reason for culling livestock from the herd?

Culling livestock from the herd is typically done for reasons that impact the overall productivity and efficiency of the herd. Poor reproductive performance is a significant reason for culling because it directly affects the herd's ability to sustain itself and maintain or increase population levels. If an animal is not reproducing effectively, it becomes less valuable to the operation, as fewer offspring mean less potential income or production in the future.

Factors like increased feed costs could influence management decisions and strategy, but they do not directly relate to the conditions of individual animals that warrant culling. Excessive weight gain, while it might seem like an issue, is generally not a reason for culling unless it is linked to health problems or inefficiency in production. High meat quality, on the other hand, is actually a desirable trait and not a reason for culling; rather, it would support an animal’s retention in the herd. Thus, poor reproductive performance stands out as a critical concern that necessitates the culling decision.