Cow-Calf Production Costs & Returns

Jul 11, 2025

By Hannah Baker

In a recent Southern Ag Today article, the trends in farm operating costs over the last few years were discussed based on data released by the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) in May. The article focused mainly on row crops, but the data also includes operating costs for cow-calf production. So, the focus of this article will be looking at historical cow-calf production costs combined with forecasted costs for 2025 and 2026 from the Livestock Marketing Information Center.

Over the last five years, cow-calf operating costs per head have increased by 29 percent nationally, according to data from the ERS and LMIC. Looking back at the 10-year average (2015-2024), annual operating costs for a cow-calf operation have been $602.53 per head (does not include pasture rent) according to ERS survey data.

Source : osu.edu

Video: When Should We Assist a Farrowing Sow? - Dr. Alexander Grahofer

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Alexander Grahofer, Senior Lecturer and Scientist at the Clinic for Swine, Vetsuisse Faculty Bern, examines how modern sow biology is challenging long-standing farrowing guidelines. He discusses piglet-to-piglet intervals, obstetrical intervention, hormonal balance, housing systems, colostrum access, and practical steps producers can take to support sow and piglet health. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Farrowing guidelines built around older sow populations may no longer reflect the biology and litter sizes seen in modern production."

Meet the guest: Dr. Alexander Grahofer / alexander-grahofer-05134888 is a Senior Lecturer and Scientist at the Clinic for Swine, Vetsuisse Faculty Bern, in Switzerland. His background includes porcine health management and animal reproduction, with specialization in pig reproduction and research focused on farrowing and sow health. Learn more from Dr. Alexander Grahofer on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.