Breeding cattle for beef is one of the most lucrative ways to earn a profit from your backyard – if it is big enough. There will always be a high demand for beef as it is one of the tastiest meats and because the meat is significantly more affordable than most other meats.
Because of the long gestation period of cattle, typically a cow will produce 1 calf per year. There are cases of 2 calves from 1 pregnancy, but this is rare. Even more rare are pregnancies resulting in 3, 4, or 5 calves.
I am going to tell you about the 10 most popular cattle raised for beef, how much does a cow cost, breeding costs, land requirements for each and more. It is important that you note that the number of cows per bull indicates the maximum number of cows 1 bull can cover. If you have more than 1 bull, you should add cows to the herd for him.
If you want to raise cattle for slaughter on a smaller scale, simply reduce the number of cows your bull has access to.
Table of Contents
1. Black Angus
The Black Angus is one of the most popular breeds of cattle for beef in America because of its unique carcass characteristics. The meat is well-marbled, and very well-flavored.
The Black Angus is very easy to raise because the cows typically do not have problems during pregnancy, birth, or as nurturing mothers; and because they are very cheap to feed.
The Black Angus meets all ten of the standards of quality.
How many cows should be with one bull
The ratio of bulls to cows is 1 bull to 20 to 30 cows for yearling bulls and 1 bull to 30 cows for mature bulls.
What a breeding set will cost
Angus cattle sold in 2020 sold at an average cost of $8 120 per head.
You will need 1 bull for every 20 to 30 cows
Bulls are typically more expensive than cows. Working off the 2020 average, you can expect to pay roughly $251,720 for your herd.
How long is the gestation period and how many calves will be produced per pregnancy
The gestation for Black Angus cows is 283 days. Normally you can expect 1 calf per cow, but on rare occasions, twins do occur.
In the case of fraternal twins, the female calf is sterile in 90% of cases.
How long it takes to raise a calf to slaughter weight
If you are selling beef cattle that are fed on grass alone, it will take 26 to 28 months. If you are supplementing or feeding grain it will take 14 to 18 months to raise the calf to good slaughter weight.
Land Requirements
You will need 1.8 to 2 acres per head.
The space needed is also determined by the quality of grazing available.
Angus cattle are the breed of choice for many beef cattle farmers. They are the most popular because they have many Pros and very few Cons.
Pros:
- They tolerate and thrive in cold weather
- They do fine in warmer weather but do not like consistent, prolonged extreme heat
- Because they are popular, buying stock is easy wherever you are
- They do not need to be dehorned when born
- Reproduction is easy, mothers deliver without human intervention – emergent cases may require assistance
- Calves are strong
- The mothering instinct is fantastic
- Excellent fertility
- Certified Angus Beef is known for its quality and consistency making it premium beef
- Not very susceptible to sunburn, pinkeye, or cancer
- Hides sell for premium prices
- Do well at shows
- They resist insects like ticks, mosquitos, and flies
- Can be used for breeding for longer than many other breeds
- Can be crossbred with Brahmans to get more pounds at slaughter
Cons:
- They do not have the same sweating mechanism as other breeds; because of this, they do not like heat
2. Charolais
Originally from France, the Charolais is a hardy breed of medium to large-framed cattle. They have very deep and broad bodies with muscular loins and haunches. The meat conformation is very good with high cut-out values.
They are considered to be good for growth and uniformity with superior natural live weight gain for age.
They are great reproducers that require little to no human intervention. They are gentle-natured – not as skittish as other breeds – and are easy to handle.
How many cows should be with one bull
The rule of thumb for Charolais bull is that he can cover as many cows as his age in months up to a maximum of 15 cows.
What a breeding set will cost
Based on the 2020 prices you can expect to pay $8 674 per head.
You will need 1 bull + 15 (spring pair heifers) cows.
This means your herd will cost roughly $138 784.
Gestation period and how many calves will be produced per pregnancy
Gestation is roughly 283 days, and typically one pregnancy will produce 1 calf.
How long it takes to raise a calf to slaughter weight
It takes 30 to 42 months for the calf to fully mature and meet the minimum qualifications of fat on the back, ribs, and loin.
Land Requirements
You will need roughly 1.8 to 2 acres per head. Remember that this is a huge breed. They may need a little more space.
They are very adaptable to whatever grazing is available, but they do need to eat to gain weight.
Pros:
- They have good muscling and correctness
- They are large producers, meaning more pounds
- The meat is very popular
Cons:
- Take a long time to raise to a good weight
- Their horns can be dangerous
- They require a fair amount of attention
- They can have a large birth weight, meaning they will need more human intervention than other breeds
3. Hereford
Hereford cattle originate from England. They are named for where they originate, in Herefordshire.
They are valuable for their back, loin, hindquarters, and round. They are large and have a muscular long side length.
These cattle live longer, and can produce calves up to and even beyond the age of 15. They are very calm and adaptable to their grazing environment and they are easy to manage.
They obtain a greater weight for age and rate of gain at pasture or by feeding. Breeding stock is more valuable and sells for a higher price.
The Hereford breed is easy to breed with excellent maternal qualities and is well known for its high-quality meat.
How many cows should be with one bull
As with the Charolais, you can add a new cow per month of the age of the bull up to 15 cows to 1 bull.
What a breeding set will cost
Based on the 2020 prices, you can expect to pay roughly $7 427 per head, with bulls being more expensive than cows.
You will need 1 bull and roughly 15 cows. You can expect to pay roughly $118 832 for your herd.
Gestation period and how many calves will be produced per pregnancy
Gestation is 289 days and each pregnancy typically yields 1 calf.
How long it takes to raise a calf to slaughter weight
It takes 19 months to get cows and bulls to slaughter age.
Land Requirements
You will need 1.8 to 2 acres per head. Pastures should contain good quality grazing.
Pros:
- They do well in most climates
- They have a higher market demand
- They mature quickly
- They are cheaper than the Angus
- They are excellent breeders
- They are gentle natured
- They can be horned or polled
- They have brilliant fertility
- The cows are very maternal and take very good care of their calves
- The quality for marbling and tenderness of the carcass is exceptional
Cons:
- They can suffer vaginal prolapse
- They do not do well with sudden climate change
- They do not fare well in extreme environments
- They do not do well in extreme heat
4. Brahman
The Brahman is a global success story for beef cattle. It has a large body size with medium length with a straighter back.
These are highly intelligent and very gentle animals. They are hardy and ideal for tropical regions.
The hump on their neck stores water – it is a lump of fat. The hump is edible (use it as a pot roast) and highly nutritious. It is exceptionally high in protein.
They tolerate heat very well. Their thick skin makes them very resistant to insects and the illnesses they can carry.
Brahmans have lower marbling and are not as tender as beef from other breeds. They live longer than most breeds. They are known to produce calves at 15 years old or more. Brahmans wean their calves earlier than other breeds and are more fertile than many other breeds.
How many cows should be with one bull
Brahmans should also be paired with one female per month in age up to 15 per breeding season.
What a breeding set will cost
According to the 2020 prices, Brahmans sell for roughly $10,890 each, with bulls being more expensive than cows.
You will need 1 bull + 15 cows.
You can expect to pay $174 240 for your herd.
Gestation period and how many calves will be produced per pregnancy
Gestation lasts 279 days and a pregnancy typically results in 1 calf. Multiples are very rare.
How many times can a cow reproduce in a year
Because of the gestation length, you can expect 1 calf per year.
How long it takes to raise a calf to slaughter weight
It will take 367 days (a year) or longer for the cattle to gain enough weight for slaughter.
Land Requirements
You will need 1.8 to 2 acres per head. Ensure that the space available has good quality grazing.
Pros:
- They love the heat, even desert conditions
- They have excellent fertility
- Cows are very maternal, taking good care of their calves
- They are able to reproduce for longer than many other breeds
- They are naturally horned
- The bulls are aggressive breeders
- They are very marketable
- They do well at shows
- They are resistant to insects
- Crossbreeding will result in a higher weight, giving a greater payout
Cons:
- They do not do well in cold climates; crossbreeding with an Angus could increase their tolerance of the cold
- Increased birth weight could mean that human intervention may be needed
5. Texas Longhorn
The Texas Longhorn is a remnant of Christopher Columbus, this is a hardy breed known for its long horns. The horns can be 1.8 meters to 3.23 meters from tip to tip.
Beef from a Texas Longhorn is much healthier as it is leaner, and has less fat, cholesterol, and calories than other breeds. The meat’s flavor, marbling, and quality grade are every bit as good as other breeds.
They are excellent reproducers requiring extremely little help from humans. It is very rare to even need a vet in the entire lifespan of a Longhorn. They are ready to reproduce at 18 months old and have been known to reproduce into their 20s.
For the most part, they are gentle and intelligent; however, they can be aggressive sometimes – make sure you have good management procedures in place when handling them. They tend to move slowly and calmly.
These are very popular animals because almost every part of the animal can be used. This makes them very profitable. The meat is tender and delicious.
There is very little Longhorns will not eat, from weeds to scrub, they are low-maintenance animals. They require little to no supplemental feed. They also require less space than other breeds.
They live and reproduce well into their 20’s to 30’s.
How many cows should be with one bull
For each bull over the age of 3 years, you should have 40 cows.
What a breeding set will cost
Based on the 2020 prices, you can expect to pay roughly $2 414 per head.
Your breeding set will consist of 1 bull + 40 cows. You can expect to pay roughly $98 974 for your herd.
How long is the gestation period and how many calves will be produced per pregnancy
Texas Longhorns are way too good at breeding if you are not careful to separate bulls from cows. Ranchers often joke that Longhorns will calf every 9 months and 15 minutes.
Gestation is 285 to 295 days and most pregnancies produce 1 calf per year… or 1 every 9 months and 15 minutes. 😊
How many times can a cow reproduce in a year
A cow typically reproduces once a year.
How long it takes to raise a calf to slaughter weight
Offspring are usually slaughtered between 12 and 18 months old. This ensures that the meat is tender, flavorful, and perfectly tasty.
How large an area you will need for breeding and raising the animals
Most people calculate how much space is needed as 1 suckling cow per 2.471 acres.
Profit
In addition to the current price for the meat, you can also sell the following products for a profit:
Their horns sell for $200 to $1200.
The hides sell for $400 to $700.
Even the tails can be sold – they are sometimes used for making lamps and golf putters.
The profit is much higher than for other breeds.
Pros:
- They are hardy animals that thrive in most climates
- They adapt well in hot or cold areas
- They are very resistant to parasites and disease
- Their long horns make them good at warding off predators
- Because of the marketability of most of the carcasses, they are more readily available
- They have a higher stocking rate
- They do not require human intervention except for in life-threatening situations
- They can survive on grass alone; they love weeds
- They reproduce easily
- These cows live long lives
- They have a high fertility rate
- They give birth with ease and the cows take very good care of the calves
- Calves are strong, right from birth
- They produce lean meat
- The meat has good flavor
Cons:
- They are intelligent animals, whose favorite thing to do is escape
- They have a low beef yield
- They can achieve poor prices at sale barns
6. Red Angus
While the Red Angus is not as popular as the Black Angus, it possesses the same great marbling and taste as the Black Angus.
They are very docile animals that are very easy to work with. They are great breeders with little to no pregnancy or maternal issues.
They are tolerant of hot temperatures and are very adaptable to their environment. They are very low maintenance producing high-quality carcasses with intramuscular marbling.
So, what is the difference between the Black Angus and the Red Angus?
You would think that given the fact that one is more desirable – or popular – than the other, there would be a laundry list of differences between the two. And you would be wrong!
Let me break it down for you:
Red Angus vs Black Angus
| Red Angus | Black Angus |
|---|---|
| Tolerates heat well | Is thought to do well in colder regions |
| Used in crossbreeding to improve carcass quality | Has more than 51% solid black coloring |
How many cows should be with one bull
The ratio of bulls to cows is 1 bull to 20 to 30 cows for yearling bulls and 1 bull to 30 cows for mature bulls.
What a breeding set will cost
Angus cattle sold in 2020 averaged a cost of $8 120 per head. You will need 1 bull + (20 to) 30 cows.
Bulls are typically more expensive than cows. Working off the 2020 average, you can expect to pay roughly $251 720 for your herd.
Gestation period and how many calves will be produced per pregnancy
The gestation for Red Angus cows is 283 days. Normally you can expect 1 calf per cow, but on rare occasions, twins do occur.
In the case of fraternal twins, the female calf is sterile in 90% of cases.
How long it takes to raise a calf to slaughter weight
If you are selling beef cattle that are fed on grass alone, it will take 26 to 28 months to gain a good slaughter weight. If you are supplementing or feeding grain it will take 14 to 18 months to raise the calf to good slaughter weight.
Land Requirements
You will need 1.8 to 2 acres per head. The space needed is also determined by the quality of grazing available.
Angus cattle are the breed of choice for many beef cattle farmers. They are the most popular because they have many Pros and very few Cons.
Pros:
- They tolerate and thrive in hot weather
- They do fine in cold weather but do not like consistent, prolonged extreme cold
- Because they are popular, buying stock is easy wherever you are
- They do not need to be dehorned when born
- Reproduction is easy, mothers deliver without human intervention – emergent cases may require assistance
- Calves are strong
- The mothering instinct is fantastic
- Excellent fertility
- Certified Angus Beef is known for its quality and consistency making it premium beef
- Not very susceptible to sunburn, pinkeye, or cancer
- Hides sell for premium prices
- Do well at shows
- They resist insects like ticks, mosquitos, and flies
- Can be used for breeding for longer than many other breeds
- Can be crossbred with Brahmans to get more pounds at slaughter
Cons:
- They are known to be hard to manage if they become angry; they become angry mostly when they are protecting herd mates or calves
7. Limousin
Originally from France, the Limousin breed is known for producing meat that has a very low proportion of bone and fat with a saleable percentage of 73.3%.
There was a time when the North American Limousin Foundation considered the Limousin bulls a potential hazard to the safety of all – human and bovine – as they can be very aggressive. Those that are not aggressive tend to be very docile and easy to work with.
Because you may not know if a bull is aggressive until it is too late, I recommend that you have high safety standards and practices when working with your bulls.
How many cows should be with one bull
Yearling bulls should have 20 cows per bull; mature bulls should have 30 cows per bull.
What a breeding set will cost
Limousin cattle cost $6 700 per head in 2020. You will need 1 Bull + 20 – 30 cows. This means your herd could cost $207,700.
Gestation period and how many calves will be produced per pregnancy
Gestation lasts 289 days. Most pregnancies produce only one calf. Multiple calves are extremely rare.
How many times can a cow reproduce in a year
Cows reproduce once a year.
How long it takes to raise a calf to slaughter weight
Limousins gain 1.5 pounds per day. It will therefore take over a year to get them to a respectable weight for slaughter.
Land Requirements
You will need 1.8 to 2 acres per head with good grazing.
Pros:
- They are very adaptable; they do well in hotter areas
- They live long lives
- They are readily available
- Both bulls and cows are very fertile
- They calf easily and the cows tend to their calves very well
- Calves are strong
- The carcasses are large and give a high yield
- The meat is lean and tender
- The flavor of the meat is top-notch
- They produce a high percentage of top-dollar cuts
Cons:
- They are escape artists
- Require a lot of maintenance
- They mature late
- The quality of the carcass is variable
- They do not get very high prices at barn sales
8. Holstein
While the Holstein cow is famous for its high milk production, their beef is also high quality.
They can produce equal or superior quality beef to both the Black Angus and Herefords.
These gentle giants are very easy to handle. They are easy-going, resistant to stress, and rather than being solitary, they exhibit a strong herd mentality.
The beef ticks many of the high-standard boxes with its marbling and the great mothering characteristics exhibited by the cows.
How many cows should be with one bull
Typically, you should pair 1 yearling bull with 20 cows or 1 mature bull with 30 cows.
What a breeding set will cost
Bulls sell for higher prices than cows. The 2020 prices average at $1 500 per cow and $2,100 per bull.
You will need 1 bull + 20 to 30 cows. Your herd will therefore cost roughly $47,100.
Gestation period and how many calves will be produced per pregnancy
The gestation period for a Holstein cow is 275 to 287 days, with the average being 281 days.
Ordinarily, Holsteins deliver 1 foal per pregnancy. Only 10% of pregnancies produce twins, but there are documented incidents of quadruplets, but this is extremely rare.
How many times can a cow reproduce in a year
In at least 90 percent of cases, a cow will produce 1 calf per year.
How long it takes to raise a calf to slaughter weight
As Holsteins gain 1.5 pounds per day, it will take roughly 367 days to reach slaughter weight.
Land Requirements
Holsteins need 2 to 5 acres per head. This is more than most of the other breeds on this list, but the grazing leads to both quality milk and quality meat.
Pros:
- They can survive and do well in extreme cold
- They are well-suited to many environments
- They do well in extreme climates
- They mature early
- The cows have good lactation and care for the calves well
- They live longer than most breeds
- They have a high protein content in the meat
- They also provide a lot of milk; in case you want to earn a little extra
Cons:
- The bulls are aggressive and strong
- They can be very dangerous
9. Simmental
Simmental cattle are the most widely bred and distributed cattle in the world.
They reproduce very easily with little to no intervention needed in calving.
They have excellent maternal characteristics and are known to reproduce more frequently as they are calm enough to keep the bull with the cows at all times.
They are also more fertile than many other breeds and stay fertile for longer.
They easily gain weight and the young grow and mature much faster than other breeds. Cows can reach 1500 pounds and bulls can reach an incredible 2800 pounds.
The excellent growth and the cattle’s large size results in a better beef yield, with good quality of white fat, and excellent marbling.
They graze happily on whatever is available in pastures.
How many cows should be with one bull
Bulls only start covering when they are yearlings, from this point until the age of 2 years, you can add 1 cow per month in age up to 14 cows. When the bull is 3 you can add cows per bull up to 36 cows.
What a breeding set will cost
The 2020 price for Simmentals was $7 918 per head, with the bulls being more expensive than the cows.
You will need 1 bull + 14 to 36 cows. You can expect to pay roughly $292 966 for your herd.
Gestation period and how many calves will be produced per pregnancy
Simmentals gestation lasts 279 to 287 days.
Most pregnancies result in 1 calf being born; however, research shows that 1 in 200 pregnancies may result in the birth of twins. Take note: that does not mean that if you have 250 cows you will have 1 set of twins!
Also noteworthy is the fact that in the case of fraternal twins, the female will always be born sterile. She will not be used as a breeding stock, only for beef.
How many times can a cow reproduce in a year
Due to gestation, you can expect 1 calf per year.
How long it takes to raise a calf to slaughter weight
Simmentals take a little longer to gain enough weight to make them worth good money.
They normally get to about 1400 pounds between 24 to 26 months of age. They need to meet the Standard minimum qualification for fat covering.
Land Requirements
You should provide 1.5 to 2 acres of grazing per cow.
Pros:
- They are very adaptable to the environment
- They are very calm, tolerating stress well
- They a resistant to parasites
- They have good longevity
- The carcass has a high yield of beef
- The meat is lean and flavorful
- They get good prices at sale barns
Cons:
- They are expensive
- They need large pastures
- They are not always hardy animals
- They need human intervention in a greater percentage of calving than other breeds
- Calves are not very strong at birth
- They are hard to finish without a large quantity of grain
- The beef is not ideally tender
10. Highland Cattle
Originating in Scotland, these are the teddy bears of the bovine world. I know you are reading this out of an interest in breeding cattle to slaughter, but these really are the sweetest-looking cattle.
Their two layers of long thick coats act as the ultimate winter coat, keeping them warm in cold weather (Scotland only has three weather settings: 1. It is raining; 2. It is snowing; 3. It is freezing!)
They are perfect for beginners because they are so easy to handle and raise. They are quiet, calm animals.
They are very intelligent and are excellent at avoiding predators. They need human interaction on a regular basis to prevent them from becoming wild.
They have a strong herd instinct, protecting themselves, other herd members, and calves against predators aggressively.
How many cows should be with a bull
You will need 10 to 30 – or more – cows per bull.
What a breeding set will cost
Highland cows cost up to $800 in 2020 and bulls cost $4,400 to $4,800 in 2020.
With 1 bull and 30 cows, you can expect to pay roughly $28 800 for your herd.
Gestation period and how many calves will be produced per pregnancy
Gestation for Highland cattle is 277 to 290 days.
The incidences of multiple calves in a single pregnancy are higher for Highland cows than any other breeds. Note: this does not mean you should expect multiple upon multiple.
There are recorded cases of 4 or 5 calves being born from 1 pregnancy.
How long it takes to raise a calf to slaughter weight
Raising a calf to a good slaughter weight will take 26 to 28 months if it is just grazing, and 14 to 18 months if you are supplying food.
Land Requirements
Highland cows do not need as much space as the other breeds listed here. They do well on 1 acre per head.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Availability
- Hardy
- The small size means they need less acreage
- Tolerant to traveling
- Calm temperament
- Tolerate extreme cold
- They do not require much human intervention but should have regular direct contact with people to ensure they do not become wild
- Thrive on whatever is available in pastures
- Live 15 to 20 years
- Very fertile
- Great mothering instincts
- Calve easily
- Calves have a higher survival rate than many other breeds
- Produce enough, high-quality milk for use on your homestead
- High butterfat content
- Very lean beef
- Good meat yield
- Rich, flavorful meat
- Low on fat and cholesterol
- High in protein
Cons:
- They are escape artists, they do not like being penned into small areas
- Their horns can be dangerous
- They can get very muddy during the rainy season because of their thick coats
- They need to have their hooves properly maintained
- Ticks and lice can be a problem in hot weather; you will need to treat them for these
- They do not tolerate heat well
- They mature late
- They are slow to finish for beef
- They can get poor prices at barn sales
- They can be extremely hard to slaughter because of their cuteness factor
So there you have it!
Now, the biggest takeaway with getting cows is that choosing which breed to purchase is very much reliant on available space…
Raising cattle for slaughter means you really need to assess the acreage available for hazards, size, grazing, choosing the breed, and ultimately how much time you have available to work with the herd.
The figures I have listed above relate to the maximum number of bulls per cow. If you want to work on a smaller scale, and possibly handle the butchering and sale of meat you have yourself, you will not need as many cows.
The price you will receive when you sell off your cattle for slaughter will vary according to the breed, size, and dimensions of the animals.
Some breeds have a higher marbling score, which makes them pricier than other breeds. Many cattle are raised specifically for the leanness of their meat. Consumers are moving towards lean meat that is low in cholesterol.
My favorite for the expense is the Texas Longhorn. The best taste is Black Angus.
I hope this article will help you plan the best use of land on your homestead to raise cattle for beef.
Di-Anne Devenish Seebregts was raised in an environment where daily life consisted of hiking, environmental conservation, growing fruit and vegetables, and raising poultry for meat and eggs.
She combined her passion for the writing word with her love of the pride that comes with not relying on others. She raised three children (who are now adults) to value the environment, and understand the value of being self-sufficient.
Find out more about Di-Anne on our About Us page.
Can I get you to evaluate Dexter cattle for addition to this excellent artcle? They are a smaller breed, but they are very easy- keepers, easy on the land, breed wonderfully with little intervention needed and provide award-winning beef flavor and marbling. As a bonus, they are a dual-purpose breed providing top-quality beef and milk.
You can get Angus cattle a good bit cheaper if you buy calves. Maybe it’s regional but heifers usually go for $310-1400 depending on age and bulls are around $2500 fully grown and $300 for calves in Texas. It may be worth the trip to buy some where it’s cheaper and haul them back.
The Longhorns are similar in every respect to the indigenous Zimbabwe Mashona breed. Thank you for the insightful article. I’m considering adding the Hereford and Brahman to my herd. Are there any dangers in having a mixed herd of up to 5 breeds?