(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

OT. . .Cow age

B

bigboreG

Member
At what age does a cow begin to decline as far as calving is concerned? Am looking at some 4-6 yr olds and wondering if they have a few good years left? Asking price is around 1200. I am wanting to start a small herd, only ten or so head.
 
Depends partly on breed... Brown Swiss will generally last longer than Holsteins, beef breeds out last dairy breeds... I've had -lots- of Holsteins make it to 10 years, and a couple made it to 15-16 years. Heard of plenty of beef cows still raising calves at 15 or even 20 years old. But younger is better. Can't tell you if that's a reasonable price or not - it's been a long time since I've looked at cattle prices, other than cull prices. Personally, I'd be more inclined to look at yearling heifers.
 
I'd go for some younger, bred heifers or young cows for that price. Mine are gone after ten years, usually by eight. Older cows are easier calving, but we sometimes lose one to heart and respiratory trouble in later years. So, I cull out the older ones.
 
I try to check teeth any time they go thru the shute once they are 9-10 years old. If they still have good teeth, I'll keep them. Sometimes their condition will decline and that is usually an indication that they have reached time for culling. Have had many raise 12-13 calves before culling. Beef cows.
 
I have several beef cows that was born in 1999 and this is my last year to keep them out of ten of them only lost one calf all those years and it was hit by a pickup.
 
Where are you located? Around my parts (eastern SD) that is a decent price. Young cows are bringing 15-1800, middle age are 12-1600 and short term are 1200 on down. Bred heifers are bringing 1400 on up.

Casey in SD
 
If ya were lookin at Longhorns, we have had quite a few make up past 25. A buddy of mine has 1 that is 30, and she is calving every other year, now. 4 years 2 calves, but she is bred again this year.
 
They're in their prime. Not gonna have the calving or breed back problems of first calf heifers. Still got a lot of life left in'em.
 
They do well till about year ten. Some can go to twelve. I am sure there are exceptions to the rule, but not many.
 
I assume you are talking beef breeds? But for anyone interested.. we talk about Holsteins over 6 yrs old being vet's cows...That is not strictly true,some will last up to 12 and the exceptional one will go on longer. Our big problem is feeding concetrates too high in protein to try to improve milk quality (as we get good bonuses) And the fact that we have to house them for nearly 6 months every year on concrete....We have a lot of foot problems, acid burn and digital dermititis etc.
When I was milking 130 holsteins, I liked to put about 30 first calvers into the herd every year and cull or sell 30 older cows..That kept my herd young and fit.
Sam
 
Located in North Central IA. They would be beef cows, its a friend of mine that has the cows. Black, black white face. They sure look good. Set to calve in late april/early may. Bred to black angus cross 4 yr old bull. Claimed to be a low birth weight bull. Its been six years since I had cows, didnt have a place for them until now. But only enough available grass for ten to twelve head. Its getting real hard to find pasture, I can see why though. Cant have land worth 10 k plus, then put cows on it! Dont pencil out real good lol. Thanks for the advice, its well taken.
 
We figure around 10 years old, on AVERAGE, is when they will decline with milk production and mobility. There are plenty in our herd older than that, and we move a number of them alot younger than that, but that is, at least in my mind, a good number to figure on. We save 10% of our herd size in heifers to breed, so I think that works out to about 10 years average age of the herd, give or take. Our oldest is going to be 17 in a couple months and is still walking fine and is bred. Eventually though their teeth and legs wear out. Midwest cows will make it longer than western ones in my experience, mostly because they are babied along through the winter more. Bred cows are going to continue to be good property in coming years- I would go after the deal you are looking at! Good Luck!
 
That's a good price and you know the herd already, 4-6 year old cows shouldn't give you any problems calving. If any do, cull them and keep back your hefer calves and replace the problem cows if you have any. I don't keep cows that go through fences or cows that give me bucket calves or cows that jump gates. Been following these rules for 25 years and got a nice herd easy to work with and I don''t chase cows they follow me with my bucket of ear corn right into the trailer.
 
Yep 10 years is a good rule of thumb for beef cows. I've had Shorthorns go till 17 or 18 years old but that is very uncommon. Depending on what kind of cows $1200 sounds like a good deal. Good bred cows are bringing $1200-1500 around here.
 
Alot depends on how they've been treated I have several Angus cows that are in their late teens and raise a nice calf every year,so I've never seen the need to get rid of them.My cows always have good pasture in the Summer,some pasture in the Winter and all the hay they can eat in the Winter.A hungry cow will not make you any money.
 
If you are talking about beef cows 4-6 are prime age cows, they bring top dollar. At todays prices, if they are heavy bred, you could turn them over as pairs and make money the minute a healthy calf drops. If you keep them and the price holds they will wean a $900.00 calf this year.
 
15-18 years average for our beef cows. They are well fed all their lives though. Never without pasture or hay in front of them. 24/7/365
 
Univeristy of Kentucky did a study on this very topic. There results show a decline starting at the age of 7. It really starts to drop off around 10.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Can finally talk of it. Longish.
2 3
Replies
45
Views
3K
Tgrasher
Tgrasher
S
Classic lighterweight tractors for general transportatio
2 3
Replies
59
Views
3K
sidpost
S
P
Cat D3 late 70s worked fine parked it and now it barely
Replies
5
Views
893
WNM
W
C
Points next?
3 4 5
Replies
89
Views
5K
Chris623
C
N
Galion 104H
Replies
10
Views
510
Nolbyone
N
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top