RE: Cow Elk... how much meat after processing?
I've seen 29% of live weight in magazines, my brother will get up around thatnumber with elk he has shot close to a road and brought out whole.Personally, I wind up with about 22-24% on my game, but I don't bring out ribcage meat and I trim very liberally.
On a 400 lb. cow, figure 100 to 120 lbs, that'd be about average. It could be as low as 80 and as high as 150.
That's my take on the question.