How Much Does A Pregnant Cow Cost

Though 2010 weaned-calf prices are improved from 2009, higher calf prices alone aren’t sufficient to trigger expansion; higher profits per cow are needed. And that may come if the effects of recent stronger export demand trickle down to weaned-calf prices over the next few years.

Calves are assumed to be weaned and sold at an average weight of 550 lbs. In the fourth quarter of 2020, steers in this weight range were selling for prices in the upper $130’s and heifers in the low $120’s, on a state average basis. Therefore, a steer / heifer average price of $1.30 per lb is used for the analysis, which is actually the same price that was used last year. Weaning rate was estimated at 85%, meaning that it is expected that a calf will be weaned and sold from 85% of the cows that were exposed to the bull.  Based on these assumptions and adjusted for the weaning rate, average calf revenue is $608 per cow.

Estimating the future revenue from reproduction is extremely difficult. In short, we need to estimate the value of a pregnancy. A large number of known and unknown factors affect this estimate. Some factors are specific to the cow (i.e., her future production potential, age, and days-in-milk) and others factors affect all cows (i.e., milk price, feed price, and heifer and salvage costs). Even the “value of a pregnancy” can have multiple meanings. A cow that never becomes pregnant will exit the dairy at the end of her current lactation if not soone

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.

How Long Does A Cow’s Pregnancy Last?

Gestation length does vary by breed and by sex of the calf. Gestation length ranges from 279 to 287 days. For most breeds, 283 days would be common. Cows carrying bull calves tend to have a slightly longer gestation compared to cows carrying heifer calves.

How Long After A Cow Gives Birth Can She Get Pregnant Again?

It depends on a number of things:

  • body condition at calving,
  • age of dam,
  • if there was any calving difficulty during the calving process, and
  • if diet is adequate after calving during lactation so that weight and body condition losses do not occur or are minimal.

Cows that calve in a body condition of less than 4 (scale 1 to 9) have a longer post-partum interval.

First-calf cows have a longer post-partum interval than do mature cows.

Cows that have calving difficulty have longer post-partum intervals.

And, cows that lose weight and body condition after calving have longer post-partum intervals.

So with all that in mind, the postpartum interval, if conditions are ideal, for beef cows is between 50 and 60 days for an average of 55 days. First-calvers will be at least 10 days longer.

ine needles consumed by cows during late pregnancy can cause abortion, or premature calving. Producers need to be aware that few options exist to decrease the risk of pine-needle-induced abortion other the physically isolating cows from exposure during late pregnancy. Exposure to any source of pine needles, whether they are fresh, dry, weathered, on the ground, on standing trees, or on fallen trees during late pregnancy should be avoided.

The culprit is isocupressic acid, a yellow, oily substance in pine needles. Identification of the culprit is the first step in developing an antidote. As far as I am aware, the antidote is not yet available. (Answer from 2008)

Can Pregnant Cows Be Vaccinated For BVD Or Can The Vaccine Be Given Only Prior To Breeding?

Pregnant cows can be vaccinated against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) using killed-virus (KV) vaccines. Modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines should be given when the cow is not pregnant — ideally 30-60 days prior to breeding. Some BVDV MLV products state on the label that they can be safely administered to pregnant cattle if the cattle had also received the vaccine prior to breeding.

Although some cattle producers prefer to vaccinate during fall work for convenience; it makes the most sense from a BVDV control standpoint to vaccinate prior to breeding so that cattle have the best protection during early pregnancy.

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.

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.

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