Costs of owning a beef heifer?

[katie_k]

i am thinking of applying for a grant from the FFA to go towards purchasing and maintaining a beef heifer but i need to know costs and profits of owning and raising one. i live in town so you would have to figure feed and board into the equation. what do you think about how much i will need? please make a list of things and their expense.

 

[Show Heifer]

I realize you are trying to do your "homework", but I honestly think you need to do this on your own.
First, go to the local feed store where you are going to purchase feed and ask them what the feed cost - it varies greatly on brand, location, etc.
Then, go to where you are going to board (keep) this animal and ask them for price. How much for barn space, how much for pasture, utilities, etc.
Then, call the local vet and ask how much is a standard trip charge? Vaccination price?
Then, call whoever is going to trailer the animal to and from places and ask how much they charge per mile.
Then, if you are going to buy insurance, call the company and ask them what the charge is.
Then, check about AI'ing charge or bull rent, (I am assuming this is a long term project), and see what it is going to cost to get her bred.
Then, and only then, if you still decide to buy an animal, call whoever you are going to purchase the animal from, and ask for the price.

Add all the expenses and the work is done.  But, it really is up to you to do the leg work.

Good luck.

 

[Okotoks]

You might also want to get quotes or price check more than one provider of each of the above. It's a good habit to get into, gather as much information as you can on your own. Any costs relevant in my area would be useless to use where you live.

 

[katie_k]

For starters i am barrowing a couple beef animals from a close friend to show at the county fair.  I would purchase from him and feed and board would go to him.  it would be like $30 a month he also AI's and has everything needed. i just want approximate's for about how much i should be looking at through other peoples oppinions. i also live in northern WI if that helps

 

[The Show]

Figure in how much feed and hay will cost. I would tag on a extra $100 or so for vet charges that will occur, and then how many shows you plan to go to. I know when I was chasing shows most of them were about a 2 hr drive and after you figured in fuel, meals, entry fees, and everything else it would be about $100 on the day. Everybody's situation is different. Like everyone else is saying, find the prices and figure it up.

 

[forcheyhawk]

It sounds to me like you've got a tremendous deal.  If you are getting feed, place to keep them, AIing, and expertise of someone that knows what they are doing, then $30/month is cheap - depending on what and how much they are getting fed but assuming they are getting fed a good, balanced diet that's cheap.  I know my feed bill alone was WAY more than that on my show animals - not including hay, AI, vet, etc.