# Cost of raising cattle in Massachusetts

> Raising a beef cow in Massachusetts costs approximately $1,185 per head per year, driven primarily by high hay and purchased feed costs in the Northeast region relative to national averages.

**Headline:** $1,185 per head/year

## Key Figures

| Metric | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Feed and hay | $612 |
| Pasture and lease | $138 |
| Labor (hired and operator) | $215 |
| Veterinary and medicine | $48 |
| Miscellaneous (fuel, repairs, supplies) | $172 |

## Detail

Massachusetts is a minor beef-producing state, with the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture reporting approximately 9,500 beef cows across the state and an average herd size in the low double digits — far below the 200-2000 head range typical of Western cow-calf operations. The dominant breeds are Angus and Hereford, with Black Baldy (Angus x Hereford) crosses and Simmental also well-represented because of their winter hardiness in USDA hardiness zones 5b through 7a, which cover the Berkshires through Cape Cod.

Feed and hay are the largest cost category for Massachusetts producers. The short growing season, wet springs, and limited hayground push winter feeding costs well above the national cow-calf average reported in USDA ERS Commodity Costs and Returns, with NASS Agricultural Prices data showing Northeast all-hay prices frequently exceeding $240/ton versus a US average closer to $180/ton. Most operations feed stored forage from roughly November through April, a five to six month feeding window.

Pasture lease rates in Massachusetts are constrained by limited available acreage and competition from dairy, hay, and residential uses, but the small scale of most operations means many producers graze owned land rather than leasing. Labor costs reflect Northeast wage rates reported by USDA NASS, which run materially above the national farm labor average. Veterinary costs remain a smaller line item, and miscellaneous expenses including fuel, fencing repair, and mineral supplementation round out the annual per-head cost structure summarized in the USDA ERS cow-calf cost of production estimates.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the average beef cow herd size in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts beef operations are small by national standards, averaging roughly 12-15 head per farm according to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, with the state's total beef cow inventory near 9,500 head.

### Why is hay so expensive for Massachusetts cattle producers?

Short growing seasons in USDA hardiness zones 5b-7a, limited pasture acreage, and competition with dairy operations push Massachusetts hay prices well above the US average, with all-hay prices reported by NASS frequently exceeding $240/ton.

### What breeds are most common on Massachusetts cow-calf operations?

Angus and Hereford dominate Massachusetts cow-calf herds, with Simmental, Charolais, and Angus-Hereford (Black Baldy) crosses also common due to their adaptability to cold, wet Northeast winters.

## Sources

1. USDA ERS — Cost of Production Estimates, Cow-Calf (2023) — https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/commodity-costs-and-returns/
2. USDA NASS — 2022 Census of Agriculture, Massachusetts State Profile (2022) — https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Full_Report/Census_by_State/Massachusetts/
3. USDA NASS — Agricultural Prices (Hay) (2023) — https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/c821gj76b

---

Source: Vellum — https://vellum.app/cost-of-raising-cattle/massachusetts