How much does a beef cow ready for market cost?

Answer 1

That depends on current market prices and where you live. It also depends on what type of cow you are referring to: a cull cow or a registered purebred 3-in-1 cow, assuming you are referring to a mature female bovine that has had a calf.

Answer 2

Many factors play a role on what the ultimate price or cost a beef cow that is ready for market will be.

A "beef cow" may refer to a beef heifer (immature female), a beef steer (castrated male) or a cow (mature female), or possibly a bull (mature/intact male).

Also, the weight, health status and breed of said cow is unknown for this question, and will also determine market value.

Location and time in the cattle price cycle (which is a 10 year cycle of high and low prices) also determines price, as well as time of year or what season the animal is being sold in.

For this question, only an example can be taken to determine price. Let's say this is in Alberta, Canada and we are wanting to sell a healthy, well-conditioned Angus beef steer that, being ready for market, weighs about 1200 pounds. We are wanting to sell said steer through Triple J Livestock (Sekura Auctions) and the date is November 20, 2014 (last sale date from the answer provided today). A steer at that weight would bring you $2.32 per pound. That means 1200 pounds x $2.32/pound = $2,784.00.

Other livestock auctions may bring you a different price, but at this time of year you can expect a steer like the example provided to go for around $2,500 to $2,900.

If this was a butcher cow that weighed around 1400 pounds, selling for $1.21 per pound, you'd get around $1,694 for her even at market-ready status.