Producer Question from 2010
Q: What is the going rate to charge for calving out and yardage of first calf heifers? (January 6, 2010)
A: This information is from an old survey conducted by Dr. Gosey in 1994, but is a good reference to get you started. Feed costs have gone up and labor costs, so you would want to make those adjustments.
What Makes a Custom/Share Work?
- Trust
- Simple, Accurate Agreement
- Each party writes in own words.
- Incentive For Good Work
Custom Calving - Example
- Winters Cows on Stalks - 27¢ day
- Nov 1 - May 1
- Hay at $50 ton
- $30.00 per Live Calf May 1.
- 3 yrs.
Custom Calving - Example
- Has Cows Only During Calving
- 60 Days, 300 head
- Owner Pays All Feed
- Mgr. Gets $2000 per month + $5 per Live Calf.
- 4 yrs.
Custom Calving - Example
- Night Calves For Neighbor (within 5 miles)
- 300 Heifers, 65 Days
- $40 Night
Custom Calving - Example
- Calved 400 Heifers - 6 to 7 weeks
- Used Owners Facilities
- $3,000 + $5 per Live Calf to Pasture
- Calves Hauled to Past. each week
- Owner paid Vet and Vacc.
- Mgr. Weighted and Tagged Each Calf
Custom Calving Only
- Estimate Labor at $8-10 Hour
- Incentive of $5 per Live Calf.
- 200 Head per person - Heifers; 400 Head per person - Cows
- Cost = $12-15 per head for large groups 200-400 head Less than 1 hour per head.
- Could be $40 for small groups less than 50
Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science
Animal Science, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE