# Cost of raising cattle in Missouri

> University of Missouri Extension budgets for spring-calving cow-calf operations estimate total annual cash costs near $913 per cow, with feed and pasture making up roughly two-thirds of the total.

**Headline:** $913 per head/year

## Key Figures

| Metric | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Feed and hay | $315 per head/year |
| Pasture and lease | $240 per head/year |
| Labor | $185 per head/year |
| Veterinary and health | $48 per head/year |
| Miscellaneous (fuel, repairs, supplies) | $125 per head/year |

## Detail

Missouri is the third-largest beef cow state in the country, with approximately 1.9 million beef cows spread across roughly 40,000 operations according to USDA NASS 2024 inventory data. The state sits in USDA hardiness zones 5b-7a with a humid continental to humid subtropical climate, and the dominant commercial breeds are Angus, Red Angus, and Angus-Hereford (black baldy) crosses, reflecting the Midwest's preference for moderate-framed British genetics suited to fescue-based forage systems.

Total annual cash costs for a Missouri cow-calf pair run approximately $913 per head according to the University of Missouri Extension's 2023 beef cow-calf enterprise budget. Feed and hay represent the largest line item at roughly $315 per cow, driven by the state's 120-150 day winter feeding period. Pasture and lease costs average $240 per head, reflecting typical stocking rates of 1.8-2.5 acres per cow-calf pair on Missouri's predominant Kentucky 31 tall fescue pastures.

Labor costs of approximately $185 per head and veterinary expenses near $48 per head round out the major categories, with miscellaneous costs for fuel, equipment repairs, minerals, and supplies adding another $125. These figures align with USDA ERS regional cow-calf cost and returns data for the Heartland region. Operators in the 200-2000 head commercial range typically achieve modest economies of scale on labor and equipment but face similar per-head feed and pasture costs as smaller operations, since forage and hay requirements scale linearly with herd size.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the typical herd size in Missouri?

Missouri has about 1.9 million beef cows across roughly 40,000 operations, with an average herd size near 40 head; commercial cow-calf operations in the 200-2000 head range are concentrated in the southwest and south-central Ozarks.

### How much pasture does a cow-calf pair need in Missouri?

Stocking rates in Missouri's fescue belt average 1.8 to 2.5 acres per cow-calf pair on improved tall fescue pasture, with higher requirements in the drier western counties.

### What is the biggest cost driver for Missouri cow-calf producers?

Winter hay feeding is the single largest variable cost. Missouri producers typically feed hay 120-150 days per year, and hay costs alone can exceed $250 per cow in dry years.

## Sources

1. University of Missouri Extension — Beef Cow-Calf Enterprise Budget (2023) — https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g402
2. USDA NASS — Missouri Cattle Inventory (2024) — https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Missouri/Publications/Livestock_Releases/
3. USDA ERS — Cow-Calf Production Costs and Returns (2023) — https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/commodity-costs-and-returns/

---

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