A billet (2) is rolled to a rod (3) in a rolling mill. The rod (3) exits the rolling mill with a finishing temperature (TE1). A rear laser measurement device (8) arranged downstream of the rolling mill detects the head end and the speed (v) of the rod (3). The detected speed (v) of the rod (3) is integrated to its length and an instantaneous length (L) of the rod (3) is determined. Dependent on the determined instantaneous length (L) of the rod (3), cutting commands (S) to a rear shears (5) arranged downstream of the rolling mill are provided for cutting the rod (3) in sections (6) of predetermined length (L0). The sections (6) of the rod (3) are cooled down in a cooling bed (7).