# Cost of raising cattle in North Carolina

> North Carolina cow-calf operators spend roughly $928 per bred cow annually in total cash and economic costs, driven primarily by purchased hay, pasture maintenance, and labor across the state's humid subtropical forage systems.

**Headline:** $928 per head/year

## Key Figures

| Metric | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Feed and hay | $385 per head/year |
| Pasture and lease | $175 per head/year |
| Labor | $210 per head/year |
| Veterinary and health | $58 per head/year |
| Miscellaneous (fuel, repairs, marketing) | $100 per head/year |

## Detail

North Carolina sits in USDA hardiness zones 6b-8a with a humid subtropical climate across the Piedmont and Coastal Plain and cooler humid continental conditions in the western Mountain region. The state held approximately 770,000 head of cattle and calves as of January 2024, with beef cows concentrated in the Piedmont and Mountain counties where tall fescue and bermudagrass pastures dominate. The average NC beef herd is near 35 head, though commercial cow-calf operators typically run 200 to 500 head to achieve viable scale.

Angus and Angus-influenced genetics account for the majority of registered and commercial cattle in North Carolina, with Hereford, Simmental, and Brangus crosses common in the warmer eastern counties. According to NC State Extension's 2023 cow-calf enterprise budget, total cash costs run approximately $928 per bred cow per year, with feed and hay the single largest line at roughly $385 driven by winter hay feeding from December through March on fescue systems.

Labor costs reflect BLS 2023 wage data for North Carolina farmworkers averaging around $14.50 per hour, translating to approximately $210 per cow annually at typical labor hours for a 200-500 head operation. Pasture and lease expenses of roughly $175 per head reflect fertilizer, lime, and weed control on Kentucky-31 fescue pastures, while veterinary spending near $58 per head covers standard vaccination, deworming, and pregnancy checking protocols recommended by NC State Extension. Miscellaneous costs of about $100 capture fuel, equipment repair, marketing, and hauling to regional auction markets.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the typical herd size for a North Carolina cow-calf operation?

NC's average beef cow herd is about 35 head, but commercial operations in the Piedmont and Mountain regions commonly run 200-500 head on fescue-based pasture systems.

### Which cattle breeds dominate in North Carolina?

Angus and Angus-cross cattle dominate, followed by Hereford, Simmental, and Brangus crosses suited to the state's humid summers and tall fescue forage base.

### How does tall fescue toxicosis affect NC cattle costs?

Kentucky-31 tall fescue covers most NC pasture and can reduce weaning weights 20-50 lbs, increasing effective cost per pound of calf sold and driving investment in novel-endophyte reseeding.

## Sources

1. USDA NASS Cattle Production Costs and Returns, Cow-Calf Southeast Region (2023) — https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/commodity-costs-and-returns/
2. NC State Extension Enterprise Budget: Beef Cow-Calf Production (2023) — https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/beef-cow-calf-production-budget
3. USDA NASS North Carolina Cattle Inventory (2024) — https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/North_Carolina/
4. BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, Farmworkers and Laborers NC (2023) — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes452093.htm

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