When I go to a trade show to talk to producers about Pharo Cattle Company®, I challenger their notion that bigger is always better.  For 50 years, the mainstream beef industry has been selecting and breeding exclusively to increase pounds per cow (bragging rights) instead of pounds per acre (profit).  As a result of this incessant selection for larger weaning weights, cow size and input costs have increased while stocking rates and profits have decreased.

The weight of the small cow is 1100 lbs.  The weight of the large cow is 1600 lbs.  The calves weighed 550 for the small cows, and 700 for the large cows.  The forage consumed per day is about 2 ½ % of the cow’s body weight per day.  That’s 27.5 lbs. per day to maintain the small cow, and 40 lbs. per day to maintain the larger cow.

On the same forage, I could graze 100 1100 lb. cows or only 69 1600 lb. cows.  That drastically affects total pounds produced per acre as well as dollars per acre.  100 550# calves weighed 55,000#, 69 head of 700# calves weighed 48,300#.  The smaller cows brought home 6700 more pounds.  Here’s a market report from La Junta Livestock Commission for Sept. 10, 2025.  550 weight steers brought $417.50 per cwt, 700 # steers brought $364.00 per cwt.  That’s $53,000 more dollars for the herd of 1100 lb. cows.  You do the math.  Smaller cows are more efficient AND more profitable.  Where do you find these moderate-sized cows?  Raise them yourself.  Buy moderate-framed, grass-efficient, calving ease bulls from Pharo Cattle Company.  I’ll see you next time on the Herd Quitter® minute.