How Much Does A Cow Cost in the USA?

cow prices in USA

Table of Contents

If you’re looking to understand cattle profitability and wondering how much does a cow cost in USA, let us make it very simple for you.

Cost:

  • Slaughter cows with average weight of 1,200 pounds cost $600 ($50/100 pounds).
  • Steers with average weight of 550 pounds cost $800 ($145/100 pounds).
  • Heifers with average weight of 520 pounds cost $675 ($130/100 pounds).

Expected revenue:

  • Expected revenue per cow is $623.
  • Assumption is that calving rate is 90% with death rate of 2%.

Variable Expenses:

  • Variable expense is $556 (Pasture, Hay, Medicine, Salt & Mineral, Supplemental Feed, Interest, & Marketing)
  • The expense above doesn’t include labor and land cost

Return on Investment (ROI):

  • Return to variable expenses per cow is $67 ($623-$556=$67)

Also Read: How Much Does a Cow Weigh in Pounds? (Beef, Calf and Dairy)

Ranch Management Software

When deciding the actual cost of a cow, its weight, gender, and breed will be in focus. However, yearlings are usually sold for around $800 to $1,500. The difference in prices of cows will be based on what purpose they are used for, either for dairy or for beef.

Check out the live Cattle Prices

The weight of the cow is the key factor when it comes to pricing. Cows are also sold in pairs with calves and these pairs are actually less expensive than an individual animal.

Let’s have a deeper understanding of the difference in cows and their prices.

What is The Worth Of A Calf?

The cost of a cow will be determined by its size and its weight. If we talk about a calf that is only a day old, it will require an extra amount of care and work, as you will have to feed it milk from a bottle. They mostly cost around $40 to $50. Plus they have a high mortality rate.

A 4 to a 6-month-old cow is efficient and stable and that is why it is expensive. Whereas a beef yearly is around $650 and $750 each calf. Cows that are older will cost more based on what their weights are. A dairy yearling, however, costs little, around $450 to $600 per calf.

What is The Worth Of A Beef Cow?

The cost of beef heifers is around $2,500 to $3,000 individually with an average cost of $2,800 per cow. The cost of the calf will generally be based on its weight. The unit of measurement used to put prices on cows is CWT which stands for 100 pounds. For a beef cow, CWT is between $135 and $165. It is an average of $140 per 100 pounds. A calf that weighs 500 pounds costs around $700.

As compared to a heifer, bred heifer costs more. A bred heifer can cost around $1,300. Whereas matured cows can cost around $4,000 to $5,000 each. A matured cow can weigh around 2,200 pounds i.e. $1.85 cwt.

Cattle Management Software - CTA1

What is The Best Breed Of Beef Cow To Raise?

In the United States of America, the most famous breed is the Black Angus. This breed requires extra maintenance and care during the calving season. There are more breeds of beef cows that are great providers of beef such as:

  • Charolais: This breed is heavier in weight and in winters their coat thickens.
  • Hereford: They mature early and their fattening abilities are great. They are docile and are efficient at milk-producing.
  • Simmental: Easy to work with during the calving season. They too have good fattening abilities.
  • Red Angus: They are docile and have good fat marbling.
  • Texas Longhorn: These are survival cows and they have longhorns.
  • Highlands: They have thick coats, they can easily survive in colder weather. Their meat is lean and marbled.

How Much Does A Dairy Cow Cost?

A dairy cow can cost between $900 and $3,000. This range is dependent on the price of a yearly to the price of a proven family cow. Yearlings and calves are less expensive as compared to matured cows. Moreover, a cow that is bottle-fed and hand-raised will be expensive as they are friendlier with people and can be kept around family.

The cost of Jersey cows can be as low as $1,400 to $1,800.

Cows that are sold by weight usually cost in between $1.05 and $1.35 (per pound)

As compared to bred cows, heifers are cheaper, they cost around $500 and $1,000.

The cost of lactating dairy cows is around $1,500 and $2,100.

Bottle-fed, tamed, and hand-raised cows are usually expensive because they are friendly with humans.

Also Read: Dairy Farm Management and Maintenance Software

What Are Some Best Dairy Cows To Buy?
  • Jersey: They are smaller in size and they are great milk providers.
  • Brown Swiss: They are gentle and one of the older dairy animals.
  • Dexters: They are smaller in size but they are also used for meat.
  • Guernseys: They are smaller in size.
  • Hereford: They mature early. They are docile and great providers of milk.
  • Holstein: They are efficient milk providers and are used for beef also.
How Much A Cow Costs Annually?

Generally, cows cost between $500 and $1,000 per year to keep. This includes their care and feed. Purchasing a cow and raising it will automatically become less expensive if you have extra land to grass-feed it. 2 to 5 acres of grassland are required per cow.

For meat cows, 30 to 40 pounds of hay a day is required generally. Efficient dairy cows can eat as much as around 100 pounds per day. If you are buying hay for the majority of the year, it will be around $1,000 a year in the feed. If you have land to grass-feed your cows and fulfill their grazing needs, only $200 to $300 will be the cost of a cow a year.

Some other necessary needs include:

  • Vet bills
  • Hay, Alfalfa, Grain
  • Oats, Corn, Barley
  • Minerals and Supplements
  • Halters and other necessary equipment
  • Breeding

Also Read: Cattle health monitoring system that keeps your animals healthy

FAQs

How much does a half a cow costs in the USA?

Full cow or Half-cow prices usually start from $3.95 to $5.50/lb., with an additional processing cost of $0.50/lb. $50 is a kill fee that is divided among the cow-poolers.

How much does it cost to buy a cow in the USA?

Usually, the cost of a cow will be somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000. The weight of the cow, its gender, and its breed decides its actual cost. Yearlings are mostly less expensive than matured cows. They cost around $800 to $1,500. The differences in the prices are also based on whether the cow is used for dairy or for meat.

How much does it cost to butcher a cow?

Cost for slaughtering an animal is $190 for a whole and $95 for a half, and that is payable to the cattle owner. $1.25 per pound hanging weight is the price for having the meat cut, aged, wrapped, and frozen so that it becomes ready to be taken to homes. 59 percent to 62 percent of the live weight is the hanging weight. This cost is payable to the butcher.

How much does it cost to raise a cow?

The cost to keep/raise a cow per year is around $500 to $1000. Including the expenses of their feed and other necessities. Raising and buying a cow is less expensive when you already have some extra acres of land to grass-feed them and fulfill their grazing requirements.

How much does a baby cow cost?

The cost of a calf is usually based on its weight. The unit for measurement is CWT that stands for 100 pounds. For a beef cow, CWT is between $135 and $165.

Stay Rooted, Grow Informed: Subscribe to Agtech Brilliance Now!

Unlock Exclusive Insights, Innovations, and Agribusiness Wisdom – Join Us Today!


      Get A Free Consultation





      Maximize Yields, Streamline Care, Revolutionize Agribusiness – Transform Your Future

      • Get an Exclusive Consultation for Free
      • Get 45-Day Free Trial on Cattlytics - No Credit Card Required
      • Get a Free personalized agri-tech consultation