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As a cattle farmer one of the most important things to keep track of is the weight of your calves. Monitoring weight gain helps ensure the calves are healthy and growing properly. But how much should a beef calf weigh at 6 months old? Here’s a closer look at the average weights for different beef cattle breeds at this age.
Average Weight by Breed
Calf weights can vary significantly depending on the breed. Here’s an overview of average weights for three major beef cattle breeds at 1 month and 6 months of age:
Holstein
- 1 month: 82-143 lbs (37.2-65 kg)
- 6 months: 266-480 lbs (121-218 kg)
The Holstein is the world’s highest production dairy cow However, Holstein bull calves are commonly used for beef production At one month old, Holstein bull calves average 100-140 lbs. By 6 months, they’ve gained over 200 lbs on average.
Jersey
- 1 month: 93-108 lbs (42-49 kg)
- 6 months: 259-321 lbs (118-146 kg)
Jersey cattle are known for their docile temperament. Jersey bull calves are smaller at birth compared to Holsteins, averaging around 50 lbs. But by 6 months, Jersey calves weigh 260-320 lbs on average.
Ayrshire
- 1 month: 131-154 lbs (59-70 kg)
- 6 months: 360-407 lbs (163-185 kg)
Ayrshire cattle are strong milk producers and their calves also gain weight rapidly. At 1 month old, Ayrshire calves already weigh 130-150 lbs on average. By 6 months, Ayrshire steer calves weigh 360-400 lbs typically.
Factors Affecting Calf Weight
While breed averages provide a good benchmark, many factors influence an individual calf’s weight. Here are some of the main considerations:
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Genetics – Genetics play a huge role in calf growth rates. Selective breeding focuses on traits like efficient weight gain. Some bloodlines naturally produce faster growing calves.
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Gender – Male calves that are castrated and raised for beef (steers) tend to grow faster and larger than female heifers. Bull calves also gain more than steers when not castrated.
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Nutrition – A calf’s diet has a direct impact on weight gain. Calves allowed to nurse from the cow or provided high-quality milk replacer and starter feed will grow faster.
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Health – Illness and disease can suppress appetite and stunt calf growth. Effective vaccination and prevention programs are key to keeping calves healthy.
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Birth Weight – Heavier calves at birth tend to be heavier at weaning time. Lightweight calves may struggle to “catch up” to herd mates.
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Weaning – Weaning is a stressful transition that can temporarily slow weight gain. Extra nutrients pre- and post-weaning help limit setbacks.
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Environment – Cold weather, mud, and poor housing can force calves to use more energy to stay warm. This may divert energy from growth.
Target Weights for Beef Calves
To ensure your calf herd stays on track, it’s helpful to have target weight ranges for different ages. This provides reference points to identify any underperforming calves. Some general weight goals include:
- Birth: 60-100 lbs (27-45 kg)
- 3 months: 150-250 lbs (68-113 kg)
- 6 months: 300-600 lbs (136-272 kg)
- 9-10 months: 650-850 lbs (295-386 kg)
- 12-13 months: 800-1,100 lbs (363-499 kg)
Of course, these target ranges are generalizations. Birth weight varies significantly by breed. And genetics, management, and environment further impact weights.
Use herd averages and the calf’s own growth pattern as your guide rather than strict standardized weights. The key is consistent gains that keep the calf near its genetic potential.
Weighing Options
Monitoring calf weights requires easy access to weighing equipment. Here are some common options:
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Scale chute – Scale chutes provide accurate weights as calves are worked through the chute. But they have a high initial cost.
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Portable cattle chute – Portable aluminum chutes with load bars are more affordable. You can move them from pen to pen.
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Livestock weight tape – Weight tapes wrap around the calf’s girth to estimate weight based on heart girth size. They are inexpensive but less precise.
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Digital livestock scale – Small portable digital scales that can weigh a standing or lifted calf provide accurate weights. But they’re pricier.
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Visual estimation – With practice, visual estimation can get weight within about 10%. But it lacks precision compared to scales.
Weigh calves at initial turnout, branding/processing, and weaning for minimum data. More frequent weights give better insight into growth patterns.
Signs of Healthy Weight Gain
While the scale doesn’t lie, visual appraisal also helps gauge whether calves are growing well. Signs of healthy weight gain include:
- Firm, muscular body condition without excessive fat
- Smooth, shiny hair coat
- Good body frame size relative to age
- Active movement and alert attitude
- Good appetite and interest in feed
- Average daily gains of at least 2 lbs per day
Rapid weight gains are ideal right after birth. Calves should double their body weight in 60 days or less. Consistent, steady gains follow.
Optimizing Calf Growth
Achieving optimal calf weights requires focusing on cow nutrition, milk production, and calf diet:
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Provide cows high-quality forage and balanced rations for abundant milk.
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Encourage early calf nursing and consumption of colostrum.
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Feed high-protein milk replacer if raising calves artificially.
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Introduce calf starter within a calf’s first week to boost rumen development.
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Offer clean water, free-choice hay, and creep feeding.
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At weaning, supply ample legume hay and limit grain intake changes.
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Prevent disease through vaccination, sanitation, and low-stress handling.
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House calves in clean, dry, draft-free facilities.
Following these best practices will help your calves reach their full weight potential month by month. Monitor weights consistently, and address any shortfalls in diet or health promptly. With close attention to growth, your calf herd will stay on a steady track to meet weight goals.
How Much Does a Cow Weigh in Pounds?
For seven most popular breeds, the average mature cow weight is around 1,400 pounds. Hereford is the heaviest at 1,419 lbs. after which comes Angus and Red Angus at 1,410 lbs. and 1,409 lbs respectively.
According to Ken Olson, a range beef calf/cow specialist at the South Dakota State University, the size of cow matters. The present age’s fed cattle (heifers and steers) are, as compared to 1990, larger at slaughter. On the feed, they spend eight more days. They gain weight 16% faster and they are more efficient. Though the weight gaining process is faster in livestock than it was twenty years back, the fat marbling and other characteristics are still the same.
Olson, while addressing a Range Beef Cow Symposium happened in Mitchell, NE, said:
“Over the past 20 years, both steers and heifers have steadily gone up in weight, and we’re adding another 150 to 170 pounds.” at finishing today. That equates to about 14% larger weights. They take about eight more days to get there than we do, but they make about 60% more every day and are more productive.
Ken cited the work of Justin Waggoner of Kansas State University. Justin had been involved in a feedlot project which is called ‘Focus on Feedlots’. The project was a success, and data from 20 years of Kansas feed yards of all sizes, from 10,000-head to 75,000-head capacities, was gathered.
From the data collected, it’s clear that the beef production industry has kept up steady production with fewer cattle than in 1974.
We have a very steady trend over time of more beef being produced per cow when you add up all of that data and divide the weight of beef killed by the number of cows. There’s about an 18% improvement over that same 20-year period. ”.
People found it easier to understand how much a cow has grown when Ken used the EPD number as one of the signs. The Angus breed’s yearling weight, which is a good indicator of its adult weight, has gone up by 96 pounds since the early 1970s. And at the same time, Angus heifers and steer weights, on average, have increased up to 239 lbs. and 300 lbs. respectively.
Real research data from the USDA’s Germplasm Evaluation Program is another source of information on the size and weight of mature cows. They compared nine sire breeds directly, head-to-head. These sire breeds’ traits were shown when they were bred to common genetic resource cows, allowed to grow to full genetic maturity, and weighed at five years old to show how much they had grown.
The average size of a cow (in all breeds) was around 1,390 lbs. To make things even more complicated, if we rank breeds by how heavy they are, the Hereford is at the top of the list. e. 1,419 lbs. , Angus comes at second at 1,410 lbs. After these two comes Red Angus which weighed around 1,409 lbs. In between, were the three lightest breeds that are Limousin (1,391 lbs. ), Gelbvieh (1,323 lbs. ), Charolais (1,371 lbs. ), and Simmental cows (1,404 lb).
Olson said about these results that it looks like an upside-down pattern when you put the breeds with numbers. The British breeds enjoy increased growth and added the potential of growth and size in their breed. Whereas, the continental breeds are more focused on other kinds of traits.
How to Find Additional Feed Resources?
For 1,200 lb and 1,400 lb cows, the annual intake of dry matter will be around 9,353 lbs. and 10,406 lbs respectively. Here, that 11 percent difference for large-sized cow is apparent. You will need more feed resources to fulfill the requirements. The bigger cow is also responsible for that bigger bill of feed that you will have to pay. In order to produce, how much more does she require?.
Ken found the answer by dividing the 9,350 pounds of feed that a 1,200-pound cow eats by a 500-pound weaning weight. And according to the results, 18. 7 lbs of feed is being used by the cow to produce 1lb of a weaned calf. A 550 lb calf will be produced by a 1,400 lb cow.
When Olson added 200 pounds to a cow, he thought that the calf should also gain 50 pounds to be ready to wean.
He said that ranchers who raise cattle today should think about the environment of their land and how bigger cows affect the number of animals that can be kept.
“The bottom line is that production systems need to be considered on an integrated approach. Olson says, “When we make changes to genetics, we need to think about how those changes will affect all other parts of the operation, such as range management and feed and nutrient supplies, if we want the system to be productive and profitable.”
How to weigh a Baby Calf or calves
FAQ
How much does a six month old calf weigh?
How old is a 400 lb calf?
How much does a weanling calf weigh?
How much should a 6 month old calf eat?
How much does a cow weigh at birth?
Most calves weigh between 65 and 90 pounds at birth, largely dependent on their breed. Bull calves tend to be heavier than heifers because they are carried longer. Here is how much a calf weighs on average from some of the most popular cow breeds ranging from one to twelve months. How much does a dairy cow weigh on average?
How much do newborn calves weigh?
Newborn calves weigh approximately 45-53 pounds (20-24 kg). And from this time until they are 8 months old, they have a steady growth rate. They can double their birth weight within the first 6 weeks. From 8 months old until the end of their toddler stage, heifers weigh around 240 pounds (110kg), reaching 418 pounds (190kg).
How much does a calf weigh?
Most weaned calves will weigh about 400 to 500 pounds. Try to get individual weights on the animals you purchase. The price per pound is higher for these lightweight calves compared to older calves in the 700 to 800 pound range. But if you purchase an older, heavier calf it will cost you more total dollars to do so.
How much milk should a baby calf eat a day?
Whole milk can be used to feed baby calves. Calves should be fed daily approximately 10% of their birth body weight (1 quart of milk weighs 2 pounds). For example, a Holstein calf weighing 90 pounds at birth would be fed 4.5 quarts (9 pints) of milk daily or 2.25 quarts per feeding when fed twice daily.