Optimizing Cow Size and Efficiency to Maximize Profitability

Over the years, a number of studies have evaluated the concept of size and profitability. Thanks to the efforts of researchers conducting these studies, it should be easier to determine an answer that may best fit a given farm or ranch environmental and economic conditions. In it simplest form, it can be generalized that size is usually related to production, but more resources are needed to maintain larger sizes. In its most complex form, larger size may mean more production on the hooves of a weaned calf, but less production/unit area. Or, more resources available (such as crop byproducts) can mean more pounds of TDN, or more pounds of feed, but feed may be sufficiently inexpensive to permit greater production at a lower price. Added to these confounding factors is the need to produce calves that will be sought by feeders for their potential acceptability as beef for today's consumers.