How does a cow-calf operation work?

Answer 1

A cow-calf operation is an operation that uses cows and bulls as breeding stock to produce calves. These calves are often sold for the purpose of being used for beef production, and as the main annual source of income for the cow-calf producer. Cow-calf operations always pertain to the use of beef cattle, not dairy cattle. The cows themselves are often cross-bred, straight-bred or even purebred. A cow-calf operation can be commercial, where 80 to 90% of calves are sold for beef, or seedstock/purebred, where 80 to 90% of the calves are sold as breeding stock.

Answer 2

A cow-calf operation has cows and a few bulls that breed together to produce calves. The calves are raised by their mommas until they're around 6 to 8 months of age, then sold to be raised for beef. Some calves that are really good quality and worth keeping (mainly heifers) may be kept as replacements. These heifers are raised until they're around 15 months of age (or weigh 60% of the average cow-herd weight), bred, then calve out at 24 months of age. Cows and heifers get bred by the bulls, and the process starts all over again, every year.