How much does it cost to raise cattle? That is a million-dollar question. Lucky for you, we have a definitive answer. A lot. Just like everything in our world, the cost of cattle production is on the rise. And it varies from operation to operation.
At BioZyme®, the makers of Gain Smart®, we understand that just because calf prices have increased doesn’t mean your profits have, too. There are a lot of costs involved in breeding and raising cattle. We know that because many on our team also raise and background cattle. It’s part of our passion and livelihood. We created Gain Smart, a line of vitamin and mineral supplements for stocker cattle that promotes healthy, economical pounds.
Costs will vary depending on region, cattle management scenario and market conditions. While we can’t break it down to the dollar, let’s look at an overview of the expenses it takes to get our cattle from farm to fork.
How Much Does It Cost to Raise Cattle?
Raising cattle involves a variety of costs, both the initial and ongoing costs. And the costs will vary. What you might spend will probably be slightly different from your neighbor across the field. We’ve categorized costs for you into some primary areas.
Startup Costs
Cattle
The price of purchasing cattle varies based on breed, age and location. Some backgrounders will retain ownership of their calves, but they still have the costs of running the cow herd and getting their calves weaned.
Land
Owning or leasing land is a substantial cost. The amount of land needed depends on the number of calves you plan to graze and the quality of the grass. Stocking rates will also vary on location.
Facilities
Fencing and handling facilities like corrals and chutes, water systems and storage areas for feed/hay are necessary. These require significant investment, but once you make the investment, and facilities are properly managed, upkeep should be minimal.
Equipment
This includes tractors, trailers, feeders, water tanks and veterinary tools. The cost can vary significantly but is often a significant upfront expense.
Feed Costs
Pasture Management
Pastures used for grazing require maintenance with fertilizers, seeding or irrigation that can add costs.
Feed
Supplemental feed, such as grain or hay, is often needed, especially in the winter or if pasture quality is low.
Minerals & Supplements
Cattle require minerals and vitamins to stay healthy. This is where Gain Smart supplements can help your calves eat and gain more efficiently and help you save money in the long run.
Health & Veterinary Care
Preventative health care often helps keep the costs of having a veterinarian out to your operation.
Vaccinations & Deworming
Cattle require vaccinations, deworming and sometimes antibiotics to prevent disease.
Parasite Control
Fly sprays, insecticides and other forms of pest control can be ongoing costs, especially in the summer.
Marketing & Sales
There are costs when selling cattle at auction or transporting them to the sale barn. These include, but are not exclusive to:
- Sales Fees
- Commission
- Fuel
- Truck & trailer wear & tear
Miscellaneous
Raising cattle has a variety of miscellaneous and hidden costs – expenses you might not even think about.
Labor
Regardless of whether you hire labor or your labor source is yourself or your family, someone is responsible for caring for your cattle. Although you might not pay yourself each month, labor is an important cost to consider.
Fuel
Fuel for machinery like tractors and trucks is a significant operating cost, especially if you’re transporting cattle or hay.
Insurance
Farm and livestock insurance can protect against losses. However, it comes with premiums that vary based on the size and value of the operation. It is an optional expense.
Interest & Financing
If you took out loans to purchase cattle, land or equipment, interest payments and loan servicing can quickly accumulate.
Gain Smart Can Help with Cattle-Raising Costs
How much does it cost to raise cattle? Less with Gain Smart. Yes, you read that correctly. Gain Smart is a vitamin and mineral supplement, so it is in the expense list above. However, using one of the four Gain Smart formulas can also help you save money. Here’s how.
We know from experience that when you feed Gain Smart products, you’re doing more than giving your cattle the best vitamin and mineral package possible. You are also supporting their immune health and helping enhance their digestive system with the research-proven prebiotic, AO-Biotics® Amaferm®.
Amaferm is backed by 70 years of research and more than 110 research studies. When we tell you that feeding a mineral supplement with Amaferm will promote feed intake and help your cattle gain at least .25 pounds per head per day, we mean it.
We know that 70% of the immune response starts in the gut. If you can feed your cattle a research-proven prebiotic that helps keep the gut healthy, then the rest of the animal should also remain healthier. Consequently, this should lead to an overall healthier group of calves.
A healthier animal not only tends to eat better but also gains and performs better. You can feed your cattle less feed due to the enhanced digestibility of Amaferm yet gain more. It just makes economic sense.
Our Customers’ Reviews
So, how much does it cost to raise cattle? These Gain Smart customers will tell you that feeding Gain Smart has paid in increased performance.
“We have a lot of fescue. When we started using the Gain Smart, we did a little trial. One pasture I fed the Gain Smart, and in another pasture, we just kept on with what I was originally using. When we pulled those cattle off, the cattle that were on the Gain Smart mineral were about 25-30 pounds heavier than the rest. They all went in at the same time. They all came out of the sale barn. They were the same cattle, just the Gain Smart made them grow better.” – Michael, Virginia
“I’ve run enough tests with minerals that I can tell you if you use the Gain Smart mineral, you’re going to out gain and outperform any mineral out there. I generally have seen anywhere from one-third to one-half pound more gain per day on my calves. That’s the only way you can make money on cattle is grow cattle and get a return on your money. Gain Smart is money well spent.” – Dakota, Alabama
“After I completed a feed trial with CFC, the results of adding Amaferm to the diet were proved to me, so I started feeding the Gain Smart mineral in addition to the Amaferm pellets to the 1,000 head of stockers I run each year. The health of the cattle is noticeably better; they just feel better, and we’ve had considerably fewer to treat. The cattle are gaining more efficiently, and with the cost of feed that is definitely to our advantage. We’re seeing on average and extra half pound of gain per day per head, thanks to the Amaferm and the Gain Smart mineral.” – Joe, Virginia
Get your Gain Smart Today
Hopefully we’ve answered your question, “how much does it cost to raise cattle?” We can’t give you an exact answer down to the dollar, but we can tell you how to increase your ROI with faster gaining calves that perform with Gain Smart.
Gain Smart‘s combination of organic trace minerals and Amaferm will help your calves put on healthy, efficient pounds. Gain Smart is available at one of our local BioZyme Dealers. Locate the dealer nearest you.
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