How much does cow weigh at slaughter?

Answer 1

For most cattle raised for the purpose of being slaughtered in the first place (being steers and non-breeding or non-productive heifers), and that are raised on conventional feedlots, the average slaughter weight is around 1400 lbs. However, this is only average, since most cattle are slaughtered on a grade scale, not weight. Cattle must have a grade of Select, Choice or Prime (preferably the latter two) in order to be deemed ready to "harvest." Such animals appear to be on the verge of being overweight because no skeletal features are showing on their frame, and they are very deep in the hips and round as well as in the barrel and ribs. They have quite a round rump, with a ring of fat starting at the tail-head.

For those who raise their own slaughter steers or heifers, quite often they may choose to slaughter at a lighter weight: some may choose to slaughter when the steer is around 1100 to 1200 lbs, some even less. Of course this all depends on the breed that is being finished and what slaughter weight that particular breed is able to achieve. For example, a Jersey steer will finish at a lighter weight than a Charolais or Angus steer will.

Answer 2

It depends on the grade, condition, weight and age of the animal, any where between 40 to 67% of body weight. The higher the grade of the animal the higher the % weight of dressing.

Answer 3

Slaughter cattle are usually between 1200 and 1400 lbs. Slaughter cattle that are raised on pasture and direct marketed are often lighter than the feedlot-finished cattle by 200 lbs or more.