I want to buy a cow?

Question

Ok im moving unto a farm, and i really would like to buy a cow. how much to cows mormaly cost as a calf, is it better to get the as calfs or as big cows. is there a special breed i need to look into? or any other inpormation i need to know about cows?

Answer 1

Why do you want to buy a cow?
sorry this isn't an answer, I can't answer without full information

Answer 2

They are not that expensive. You may want to get two because they will feel safer in a group if you have no other animals. A cow would be a lot more expensive than a calf. Cows can be butchered or milked, calves have less time and money invested in them. Calvess, esp if you want a bull calf (which you can then neuter) or an already neutered male, will be very cheap, and you may even get one for free. Do not get a bull and keep it that way- VERY dangerous.

Babies are also easier to work with and train, esp if you don't know anything about cows. They can be taught to lead.

As for breeds- depends on what you want it for. If you want it as a pet- any breed would work, but a dairy type breed (black and white or brown and white cows) would be cheaper. If you are looking for higher quality meat to eventually butcher, get a beef cow (the solid colored, bigger ones).

If you want to just have a pet- they do make minature cattle that are about the size of a 5 month old normal calf when full grown. I am looking into getting some of those eventually.

Answer 3

I think the answer about learning a lot more about cows first is an excellent one. I used to dairy farm. It is a lot of work and committment especially if your talking milking cows.I had a herd of Jersey's for the high butterfat and a few Holsteins thrown in for the higher milk yield. After selling out in the 80's I went into artificially inseminating cattle for a living.I would strongly advise buying from a farm who has a clean bill of health and not from a auction or worse a slaughter house.Also it cost just as much to raise a cow of questionable breeding,when you can buy from a farmer who breeds artifical and know your at least getting a calf of a proven sire who's genetics are superior without doubt, instead of getting the unknown from some farmyard bull. When you breed artificial you are getting semen from the top 2% of the bulls in the world. You know what traits they are passing on to their progency because all of that is kept track of by testing and observation of his daughters. Buy well. Learn first. Unless you really want to commit to being there twice a day EVERY day maybe you should consider beef cows.

Answer 4

Cows costs can vary depending on the breed that you want and the purpose (beef or milk). If you are going for a specialty breed (eg. Limo or Limousine (same breed) and many more) then you are paying more due to the pure-bred aspect of the cow. A straight beef cow at auction can run you up to a couple of thousand or more, depending on the weight. Are you looking for a cow or heifer? The heifer is cheaper, due to age and weight. Cattle are sold by weight and breed, so you need to decide what you want the cow for. Milk cattle will cost more. It looks like you need to do a little bit more research into what you want, and then search out on-line to the cattle associations. Just one point, however, cows do not actually make the best of pets, just FYI.

Answer 5

I don't know too much about cows, but you can usually go to a dairy farm or a slaughter house and get a calf for free, or very very cheap. My uncle loves going to those because you also usually need to bottle feed the calves and they become like big pets. Show cattle from breeders usually cost upwards around $1000, but go to a slaughter auction and you get more around $25. Although those cows may be very dirty, and might have some medical conditions.

Answer 6

Price is based on weight. If you want milk, then you need to buy a specific breed. For meat, anything will do. After you pay the purchase price, you have to feed it and feeding a calf until its big enough to be butchered can cost about $1200.00. You can find cattle for sale at livestock auctions. You can also call the butcher, they'll know the current market price for the beef.

Answer 7

i guess the cost all depends on where you live, in canada where i'm from some places you can pick up a bottle fed calf for about $200 or less if you want to bottle feed. do you want this calf for a pet? milk? meat? if your looking for a pet i would either buy someones old pet cow or buy a young baby and bottle feed it. this is alot of work though. you may also want to start with a smaller breed of cow such as a jersey also good for milk or a miniature breed like a zebu. we ranch 250 head of purebred simmental and simmental x red angus cattle. i also have jerseys in my herd (my herd consists of goats, mini donkeys, llamas etc etc etc!) and as my husband always points out, this is not HIS herd and i use them for milk they are sweet animals and temperament wise are really calm.

Answer 8

milk cow?
beef cow?

often you can buy them at auctions

I really think you need to learn alot more about cattle before you start buying...

Answer 9

I am referring you to someone that is experienced in cattle. He is part of the Texas Cattle Raisers Association. His email address is: [e-mail] This person can give you all the information you need.

Good luck.

Answer 10

at the Royal Winter Fair they were $50,000.00