Is raising feeder calves profitable?

Pasture-raised veal is a great alternative for a small farm because you can raise the calves year round, feeding goat’s milk, hay and grain and turn over a good profit in 12 to16 weeks time. That’s a gross income of over $1000 per month, taking care of eight calves.

How much does it cost to raise a feeder calf?

If you retain ownership of the calves and they are the type of calf that can go through a growing period during the winter and grass pasture in the spring and summer, then to a short feedlot phase and the total cost after weaning to slaughter is about $520, then the total cost is $905 per head (using cow cost to …

Is there money in rearing calves?

RELATIVE stability has returned to the UK beef market after BSE made the headlines in 1996, even if high finished prices havent. Cattle are still trading at a discount, but the Meat and Livestock Commission points out that prices have been reasonably consistent for over 18 months.

How much is a 500-pound calf worth?

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.

How long does it take to raise a calf for slaughter?

It will take over a year (367 days) to grow a 500-pound calf to 1,000 pounds if its average daily weight gain is 1.5 pounds per day. Some exten sive forage-finishing systems may require a longer duration for calves to reach slaughter weight if forage quality and quantity restrict growth to no more than 1 pound per day.

How many cows can you raise per acre?

You may have heard a rule-of-thumb is that it takes 1.5 to 2 acres to feed a cow calf pair for 12 months. That means we should be able to have 10 to 13 cows. Let’s see how this rule-of-thumb holds up. It looks like our rule-of-thumb held up pretty good, 11 cows on 20 acres, is 1.8 acres per cow.

What animal is most profitable to breed?

Raising just a few heads of cattle each year can provide you with a good bonus income since beef and dairy products are always in demand.

• 1 – Cattle. With a massive market for beef in the U.S. and Canada, raising cattle is at the top of the list for livestock.
• 2 – Chickens.
• 3 – Goats.
• 4 – Bees.
• 5 – Rabbits.

How hard is it to raise bottle calves?

It’s probably one of the easiest, most inexpensive ways to get into the cattle business. Raising bottle calves will not only get you a herd “on the cheap,” but you’ll also make some great memories. If you’re worried about all those bottles you’ll have to make, don’t let that stop you.

How much is a bottle calf worth?

Bottle calves from dairies run about $75-$150. Heifers or beef calves can run several hundred dollars, but our focus here is on the typical dairy bummer calf you can get for about $112 on average.

What is the cost of raising a calf?

By the pound, which is the way most farmers charge, plan on spending $0.20 to as much as $1.50 per pound. Some hard-to-find breeds can be as much as $3.50+ per pound. With the average calf weighing about 30 to 50 pounds, this will put the average calf in the $37 to $75 range for one that’s younger than a few weeks old.

How much does a feeder calf cost?

Some farmers can deliver the cow to your location for an additional fee. Like any animal, recurring costs will follow such as feeding it and providing shelter. Agriview.com notes the average cost to feed a calf is $3.81 per day.

How to raise livestock for profits?

Beef cattle are generally the most profitable and easiest livestock to raise for profit. Beef cattle simply require good pasture, supplemental hay during the winter, fresh water, vaccinations and plenty of room to roam.

Is Creep feeding beef calves profitable?

Creep feeding calves to increase their market weight is one strategy. To be profitable , the costs of the added weight gain must be less than the value of that gain. Successful beef calf producers continually search for ways to improve their operation and bottom-line.