Inflation has been a concern for many people in the United Kingdom, especially when it comes to food prices. The price of beef has risen by 16% over the last year. The price of a cow is determined by several factors, primarily its weight and age. Cows that are slaughtered at an older age tend to be more expensive than those slaughtered at a younger age.
Price of Cow in the UK
A dairy cow may be worth about £1,500. A breeding cow will be worth about £1,100. Steers and heifers are a bit cheaper and may cost you about £850. Beef cows are more expensive than other cows, you’ll pay approximately £1650 for beef cows. Calf prices vary based on their age and size, you’ll probably spend around £350 to £500 on a calf that’s ready to go to slaughter.
Factors Affecting The Price of Cow in the UK
Factors affecting the price of a cow in the UK are:
- Quality of meat and milk: The quality of meat and milk a cow produces decides the price of the cow; a cow that produces higher quality meat or higher milk volume and quality goes for a premium price. This price difference does not only affect the older cow, the calves and heifers of high quality cows are also very expensive.
- Time of sale: Another factor that affects the price of a cow is its age at the time of sale. Older cows tend to be more expensive than younger ones because they are more likely to produce higher-quality meat and milk as well as provide more years of service for their owner.
- Breed: The breed of the cow also affects its price tag. Some breeds are known for producing better meat or milk than others, farmers will pay more for such cows. This is a business opportunity for cattle breeders.
- Cost of feed: Feeding takes up to 65 percent of the cost of rearing cows; cows eat high quality hay, grass, and grains. The cost of these food resources is high; other costs that will be factored into the price are feed additives, supplements, and medications.
- Gender: The gender of a cattle has an impact on its price as well. Cows, both calves and heifers, tend to be more expensive than bulls. The sentiment is that cows will multiply within their reproductive years and their calves are an additional source of income. Cows also produce milk, if not for commercial purposes, it can cater for the family’s milk needs.
Raising Cow in The UK
Primarily, cows are raised for their meat, milk, and leather. Beef is the main product of cows, but there are other products like leather and milk which are also produced from them. People raise cows for these products as well as for their dung which is used as manure in agriculture.
Cows are generally kept on farms where they are fed with grasses and grains to increase their size while still young so that they can be sold later on when they grow into adults. The average price of a cow depends on how old it is when it gets sold, what gender it belongs to, and whether or not it has any defects.
In general, there are three types of products gotten cows: beef, dairy, and veal.
Beef cattle are raised as food for humans and can weigh anywhere from 600 to 1,200 pounds when fully grown. They are generally sold when they reach maturity at around two years old. Dairy cows produce milk for human consumption. Veal calves are typically slaughtered at seven months old because they lack meat tenderness due to their young age. Veal calves cannot be slaughtered until they reach over 30 kilograms (66 pounds).
Lastly, the cow business is a lucrative business in the UK. Aside from selling cows and calves, the milk and meat produced by cows are sustainable sources of income and a prominent source of protein for the populace. Their byproducts like horns, manure, hides, and skins, are industrial products used in agriculture, fashion, and aesthetic industries.