Rydero, I agree with you generally... the goal though ISN'T necessarily smaller calves........... it's "smaller cows". You want that smaller cow to still raise you as much weight per cow as you can, and yes, a smaller framed cow will probably raise a little smaller calf, although, not as much as you might think. She requires less feed for maintenance, and if you get the genetics right so that she's a "milker", she'll still be able to put the pounds on the calf. Main thing is, that bigger framed cow requires more # of feed just to maintain her body condition, BEFORE she can build the milk... And for the same amount of feed (pasture), you can feed MORE lighter weight cows, = MORE calves, and therefore MORE # of calves, with the same amount of feed. Keep in mind too, the smaller the calves in general, the higher the price/#................... so the added cost for "more calves" because of the handling fee at the market often becomes a mute point.