Craigslist Calves For Sale (2024)

FAQs

How much do calves usually sell for? ›

Calves are assumed to be weaned and sold at an average weight of 550 lbs. In the fourth quarter of 2023, steers in this weight range were selling for prices in the $230's per cwt and heifers in the $200's, on a state average basis.

In general, the value of gain on 300-400 pound calves tends to be higher than for 500-600 pound calves. Use the light-weight feeder steers as a base to view the price differences as you add weight to various endpoints. This measurement is commonly used by stocker operators.

A common time to wean calves is around 6 - 7 months of age. However, the prime weaning time depends on the individual ranch, it's management practices, and/or available feedstuffs. Weather and overall health of the calves also have some part in determining the exact time to begin weaning.

Quality Beef Calves: 300.00 to 550.00. Light & Poor Quality Calves: 50.00 & down. Beef Steers: Under 400 lbs: 150.00-205.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 140.00-192.50; 600 to 800 lbs: 140.00-182.50; Over 800 lbs: 125.00-151.00.

ASK A CATTLE BUYER…

Stocker steers tend to bring more at the market. They go through less stress than bull calves because they have already gone through the stressful process of castration. Less stress means they will adapt quickly and begin to eat and graze for a better weight gain.

Calves are weaned from their mother's milk at about 6 to 10 months of age when they weigh between 450 and 700 pounds. These calves continue to graze on grass pastures.

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 extensive 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.

Most herds reach the calving halfway point around April 1 to 8, or on average, April 4. So, in actuality, by the end of June, at least half the calves should be 90-plus days old. Using an average birth weight of 83 pounds, plus 90 days of growth at 2.45 pounds per day, the calves should weigh 300-plus pounds.

Calves are generally weaned between 8-10 months of age. The actual age depends on several factors: Feed availability - cows can continue lactation without losing condition in good years, but early weaning should be considered in drier years.

How much does it cost to raise a calf to slaughter weight? ›

If the cost from birth to weaning is $400 and the cost from weaning to finish is $390 then the total cost is $790. If the calf weighs 1200 lb at finish, then the cost per lb of gain for a calf that goes through a “calf-fed” system, then the cost is $0.658/lb.

For example, a 9-month old steer with a hip height of 44.3 inches has a frame score of 4. This steer will be ready for slaughter when it reaches 1100 lbs. At 16 months this same steer will have a hip height of 49.6 inches, but its frame score (4) and target slaughter weight (1100 lbs) will still be the same.

Stop 3: Growth Cycle from Calf to Cow

Cattle grow FAST – they are “adults” at 2 years of age! As they grow their food and housing is continually adjusted to best suit their needs.

Age at slaughter “typically” can be from 12 to 22 months of age for the high quality grade market. The reason for the range in age is that some calves are weaned and go directly to a feeding facility and are finished for slaughter.

Standard. Slaughter steers, heifers, and cows 30 to 42 months of age possessing the minimum qualifications for Standard have a fat covering primarily over the back, loin, and ribs which tends to be very thin.

Based on the 2019 budget, slaughter cows (1,200 pounds) are expected to average $50 per hundredweight, while 550 pounds steers and 520 heifers are expected to average $145 and $130 per hundredweight respectively.

However, one thing is certain, those rearers who can take a calf to finishing will always make a profit. On the other hand, rearing calves to sell as 100kg weaners is a much riskier venture, needing some careful planning and a sound budget.

The self-evident answer to these questions is “no.” It does not matter if you are milking 200 cows or 2,000 cows, 10 cows is a big deal when looking at the bottom line to your income over feed cost. In this scenario, 10 fewer cows results in $99 per day, $693 per week, $3000 per month in potential lost revenue.