Understanding Cow Size and Efficiency

Cattlemen have debated cow size and efficiency since the early days of the business. While efficient cattle production has been researched for over a century, it remains remarkably misunderstood. This misunderstanding can be costly for the industry as well as individual cattle operations because important and expensive management decisions are erroneously made based on misinformation or lack of understanding. However, a more productive way to frame the efficiency question is “which cattle are most efficient in a specific environment and production system?” In nature, different breeds of the same species can appear markedly different because they have adapted differently to best fit their specific environment. Similarly, different cattle are efficient in different environments and production systems. Gaining a better understanding of the interrelated components of efficiency is critical for cattlemen seeking to maximize profit in their specific operations.