Calf Cost Overview
A calf costs between $100 for a newborn calf and $2000 for an adult cow. The breed, gender, and weight of the cow determines the actual cost.
Growth and Weaning
Calves are barely adapted to pasture and consuming milk from mothers. Cows weigh 800-900kg but commonly exceed 1000kg. Calves routinely weigh over 50kg at birth.
The cost to raise a calf from birth to weaning is $5 to $6 per day. For the average-weight heifer, the cost to raise from weaning to calving is $2.40 per day.
Market Value of Calves
What is the average value of a calf? The answer depends largely on the type of calf you are looking for. Here is a breakdown of the average cost of different types of calves:
- Beef calves: $100-$400.
- Dairy calves: $200-$600.
- Show calves: $500-$1,500.
- Registered calves: $1,000-$2,500.
The average 550-pound steer calf price in 2022 could see a $30 per cwt bump to $200 with a price range from $170 to $230. The long-term average is roughly 55 cents per pound of gain. The average cost of a beef heifer is $2,800. This figure varies depending on the cwt of the calf.
Feeder calves are the cheapest cattle to purchase. The average value of a 550 lb bull calf from 2010 to 2017 in Kentucky auction markets was $853 (550 lb @ $155 per cwt).
Calculating an average cwt of $150 per 100 lbs of cow ($1.55 per pound), the average calf weight is worth $802. Factoring an 85% weaning rate, each cow’s average value is $682.
The health and condition of a calf affect its value. Buyers prefer healthy calves. Commercial calves range $300-$800. Purebreds cost $800-$3,000+.
Historical Data
In 2019, slaughter cows (1,200 pounds) averaged $50 per cwt. 550 pound steers averaged $145 per cwt. 520 pound heifers averaged $130 per cwt. A 500 pound calf is worth around $700.