# Cattle Market Pricing Overview
## Current Market Rates
The current marketplace cost for cows is around $130 – $160 per hundredweight. So a 1,200-pound cow might cost anywhere between $1,560 and $1,920. Steers with the same weight will fetch roughly $1,800.
The cost to have the meat aged, cut, wrapped and frozen so it's ready to take home is $1.50 per pound hanging weight.
Slaughter cows with average weight of 1,200 pounds cost $600 ($50 per 100 pounds). Steers with average weight of 550 pounds cost $800 ($145 per 100 pounds). Heifers with average weight of 520 pounds cost $675 ($130 per 100 pounds).
## Beef Production and Costs
How much will a 1200 lb steer dress out? The amount of meat that is cut and wrapped for consumption will be much less than the live animal weight. A 1200-pound beef animal will yield a hot carcass weight of approximately 750 pounds.
What is a good price for freezer beef? And the average retail price of $5.82/lb., freezer beef is priced 20.7% lower than retail [1 – ($4.61/$5.82)]. Steers average 63% and heifers average 62%.
How much freezer space do you need for a whole cow? In summary, a steer weighing 1,000 pounds on the hoof will average around 430 pounds of retail cuts (steaks, roasts, ground beef, stew beef, etc.).
How much meat do I get when I buy a cow to butcher? The total pounds of meat you take home will be between 40-45% of the live weight of the cow. A 1250 lb steer will yield between 500-560 lbs of meat.
How much does a farmer make from a cow? A bred cow would bring $1,300 to $1,500 per cow. Profitability varies significantly among individual producers, but Olson said the general picture is that per-head average profit should be from $175 to $200 per cow.
## Livestock Cost Considerations
What kind of shelter does a cow need? Barn space for a cow that weighs 1,000 to 1,300 lb is 20 to 30 square feet, and the cattle have access to a lot.
How much grain should I feed my 600 lb calf? For example, a 600 pound calf will eat 15-18 pounds of dry matter (2.5-3% of body weight) and a 1000 pound calf will eat 20-25 pounds of dry matter per day (2-2.5% of body weight).
## Additional Information
Most custom meat processors charge from 70 to 90 cents per pound, hanging weight, to process, so you’ll be looking at about $5.12 total, per pound for processed beef.
How much does a show steer cost? What does a show steer cost? Season. Fall 2010. Spring 2012. Steers Counted. 650. 1,201.
How much is an adult bull worth?
How much meat do I get from a beef? In summary, a bull with a hoof weight of 1,000 pounds weighs an average of about 430 pounds of retail cuts (steaks, roasts, ground beef, beef stew, etc.).
What 3 factors are used to determine the grade of feeder cattle? The grade of feeder cattle is determined by evaluating three general value-determining characteristics — frame size, thickness, and thriftiness.
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