Does anyone know what slaughter calves are bringing per lb.

Pardon the stupid question, what are slaughter calves?

We raise beef and was wondering the same so I'm stupid also.

calves are typically not slaughtered unless you are planning for veal. Most calves are sold as feeders for others to feed out. Backgrounders typically raise up calves until they are about 350 or more and sell. Those with cows and sell in the fall sell weaned calves that typically weigh from 450-650 lb. depending upon genetics, breed, feed quality etc.
Most beef are slaughtered for meat at from about 1,150 to 1,600 depending upon finish etc. or if they are fat cattle, Holstein or crosses. Most unfinished calves don't bone out or dress out too high so there is more non usable carcass weight.

Bryce

Choice fats brought between $118 and $139.50 cwt this week here. As mentioned, calves are different and the range for them is huge, dependent on a bunch of factors.

So a calf ready to butcher at butcher weight what are they bringing, butcher weight calve? I'm sorry but I didn't no there were stupid questions. So please somebody, could you please ask the question the way I should have asked it.so it's not a stupid question.

Nate how big is the calf you want butcher? In pounds? Your wording is confusing.

Slaughter cattle (fats) are typically around 18 months old, give or take a couple. So they are no longer calves, thats where the confusion came. The prices I noted above were from the past week for cattle ready to slaughter. They should be similar throughout the US.
Those prices are for cattle “finished” the way packers want them. They’re waddling fat. Cattle with less finish (fat) bring less.

how old is a calf when its' ready for slaughter and how much would it weigh ? answer a calf is about 16-20 months old and weights about 1200-1400 lbs

give or take a little on each answer

Veal calves are currently bringing an average of $3.65 a pound, live weight.

https://www.ams.usda.gov › l...PDF
Web results
Weekly Veal Summary - Agricultural Marketing Service

Keith

Thanks, Keith C.

I was not saying you are stupid, Nate. I was simply confused. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.

Thanks to all, sorry but here we call them butcher calves ready for slaughter.

I guess it is a geographical thing as here by the time they are weaned or say 5-600 lbs. they are not called calves for the most part. The price for butcher weight animals varies greatly depending upon if the are colored or fat cattle versus Holstein and or grade, like prime, High choice, choice, etc.

Bryce

Most local sale barns have a website or print sheet available that has average break downs from culls to top beef. Might be worth a call or a quick stop to your local barn if you have one. Ours closed so now Craigslist sets the market, prices can be impressive at times lately.

They were called slaughter calves here too.



Owl

No problem, at the time I didn't know a better way to ask the question. It is interesting that we all have a different way of saying the same thing.