How Much Does It Cost to Care for a Cow in 2024? What to Expect Each Month

A cow can make a great addition to the family, no matter the living situation you’re in. You will get years of loyal companionship. Sometimes you might also get milk or, at the end of the animals’ life, meat. Before bringing an animal into your life, you need to look at the cow costs and see if it’s a financial decision worth making. Aside from the purchase itself, there are many one time and maintenance costs.

Cows can live up to 15 to 20 years if well taken care of, though those living in inhumane industrial settings live only a few years. Because of this, they are larger commitments than other pets. On average, the annual costs can range from $500 to $1,000 USD (not including the initial setup costs). This also does not include emergency situations. Let’s break down all the cow costs you need to know before owning one.

Before You Buy

You need to take a few steps before you buy a cow. First and foremost, you need to create a budget and see how long you need to save before you can buy an animal. If you are able to buy a cow without any issue, take a moment and analyze your privilege. Maybe you can help fund cow ownership for others or cut cow costs for those who rely on the animals for survival.

Do Your Research

Before you purchase a cow, you need to do some research specific to your desires. Do you want a cow that you can take to competitions, lift heavy loads for you, or do you want to enjoy milk while your animal takes care of its calf? Maybe you want one that will be friendly with your children and make a great companion? Whatever your reason, it will affect how much you pay for the cow itself and the upfront and annual costs.

Select Your Breed

Each breed will have an individual cost. If you’d like a cheaper cow, there are still options available for you. The more expensive traits for the animals include the color and length of their coats, their usage, and their temperament. For lower cow costs, consider going with a crossbreed or shelter animal.

Up-Front Costs

To start your journey towards owning a bovine, you’ll need to analyze how the upfront costs will shake out. These are expenses you need to cover to prepare for bringing a cow into your life. You can make these purchases over a span of time that works for your budget. This helps keep you from feeling overwhelmed and also gives you time to make things perfect for your new animal.

Buying Land

Land costs will depend on where you live and where you want to raise the cows. Consider the location, fertility, and access to water before you make a purchase. You can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars per acre to thousands per acre depending on the state.

You must prepare the land for the cattle so consider labor and supply costs as well. Cows cannot survive in harsh weather conditions without a shelter. A barn and shed gives them protection, lets you store feed, and makes the animals easier to handle. The initial costs for the shelter will be between $20,000 and $100,000 USD.

Bringing the Cow Home

The biggest cost to consider is bringing your new cow home. Even if you don’t make this purchase first, it should be the first one you consider in your budget. You have multiple options for bringing your cow home. Remember that you’ll want to purchase more than one animal and take transportation costs into consideration.

In general, cows bred for beef will cost between $2,500 to $3,000 USD. Cows bred for dairy will go for between $900 and $3,000 USD. You can get certified or purebred cows for at least over $3,000 and in some cases over $5,000 USD. If you want to purchase calves, remember that they need to be kept with their parents. The cost of both animals will range between $1,200 and $2,400 USD. If you want to breed, heifers will cost between $900 and $1,600 each while mature cows will cost $1,500 and $3,000 USD.

Free

If you look online, on craigslist, you might be able to find a farmer giving away their cattle for free. They are usually giving away their animals because they can no longer take care of them, and they want the cows to go to a good home. Be prepared to explain how you’ll bring the cows into your life with respect and good treatment. You can also look in the local paper in some cases.

Adoption

In some cases, you can rescue a cow from a dairy or meat mill but be prepared to spend extra money to cover the costs. The folks running the mills only care about profit, so you need to be able to cover their losses if you go this route. You can also adopt a cow from rescues. Through this option, prices vary widely depending on your location and the individual organization.

Breeder

You can also choose to get your cows from a specific breeder. This will be the most expensive option but you can work directly with the company to get the animals you desire. You also gain flexibility with schedule, breed, pedigree, and expertise. If you have any specific questions, the breeder can let you know and help you prepare to bring the animals home. Before you go with this option, compare breeders in your area.

Supplies

On average, you can expect to spend between $800 and $6,000 USD to prepare for your cows. This does not include the purchase of the land you’ll need for them to graze on. Here is a potential list of costs in USD, but each cow has specific needs that cannot be predicted.

• Food: $200 – $400 USD per month
• Feed Pan: $30 – $50 USD
• Fencing: $500 – $5,000 USD
• Water Trough: $25 – $100 USD
• Grooming Brush and Comb: $5 – $20 USD
• Hoof Pick: $2 – $10 USD
• Fly Repellent: $5 – $30 USD
• Lead Ropes: $10 – $50 USD
• Washing Accessories: $25 – $50 USD

Annual Costs

Cows will have recurring costs each year, including supplies. These expenses will continue throughout the life of your animals, and you need to consider them seriously before purchasing cows.

Health Care

Cows need regular medical attention to ensure that they stay healthy for a long time. You’ll need to find a specialized vet in your area and the prices can range greatly. The animals will also need regular dental and physical attention, and vaccinations. Check your individual state, since prices change per vaccination and procedure depending on location. The costs will be low if your animals are in perfect health. If your cows need surgery or physical therapy the costs will increase. Wellness is essential to keep costs low.

Check-ups

The doctor should see your cows a couple times a year to ensure they stay healthy. You can expect to pay $20 to $40 USD annually per cow. If your doctor is not on-call, be sure to include transportation costs to and from the vet. If the vet does come to your farm, they might charge a free for travel.

Vaccinations

Cows need not only vaccinations against diseases, but also deworming treatment. You can expect to pay $15 USD per animal every two to three months for the procedure. As for vaccinations, the cows will need updates twice a year. Each one will typically cost about $25 USD per bovine. Boosters for diseases like influenza and tetanus are essential for the wellbeing of your creatures. Emergency vet bills are expensive, and you’ll want to avoid them if at all possible. You can expect to pay between $40 and $50 USD per cow annually for deworming and vaccinations.

Dental

Side-by-side with regular health check-ups are dental check-ups. A professional must come and clean the teeth of your cows each year. This is essential to avoid cavities and other dental issues, which can put a large dent in your wallet. Expect to pay $75 per animal per year in dental costs.

Emergencies

Even if you choose the healthiest cow, take the most precautions, and do everything by the book, emergencies can still happen. You’ll need to have an emergency fund available for these situations. Put about $10,000 USD in a high interest savings account just in case. If you never use it, you have money available to buy more cows after your current animals pass away.

Some cows will go their entire lives without having emergencies. However, other animals need to go to the vet frequently for unplanned emergencies. Don’t take the risk, put the money in a savings account. If your cow needs surgery or worse and you don’t have the money, the animal will probably die.

Insurance

You can buy insurance for your cows, which costs varying based on how many animals you have and why you have them. Blanket coverage for all your animals under one total limit is one option. The policies usually cover the full value of each of your cows so you can get new animals in emergencies. Scheduled policies are for specific animals that you’re worried about. The policy covers accidents, natural disasters, weather events, crimes, and transit accidents. Before choosing a policy, shop around for options.

Food

Feed is a reoccurring cost for cows. The costs will vary depending on how many cows you have and what they need. Pasture-based feeding is the least expensive, though the initial cost of land can be pricey. Consider that pasture quality can vary throughout the year and might need to be supplemented with hay or other feeds. Per cow, expect the cost to range from $400 to $800.

Total Estimated Costs

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Soner Ozcan/iStock via Getty Images