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Large Cow vs Midsize Cow - more anecdotal evidence
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<blockquote data-quote="Commercialfarmer" data-source="post: 790019" data-attributes="member: 14544"><p>Reading ranching magazine articles in the past, I have seen several discussions on nutrition of 1 and 2 year old heifers needing to be appropriate for a growing animal to maximize their potential. I understand that an appropriate % of mature weight needs to be met to limit chances of dystocia prior to breeding so that adequate pelvic diameter can be developed. </p><p></p><p>However, I have often contemplated if a heifer with genetic potential to be larger frame/mass could be raised in a more limited environment, and have a response in limiting her from reaching her full size potential at maturation (maybe decreasing it by 200 lbs). Could this smaller framed, lighter weight cow be more conservative on feed (less overall body mass) but retain a genetic ability to raise a larger calf. With this model, the nutrition to the marketed calves would not be limited and once the cow's reached maturitity (slightly stunted for lack of a better term, or maybe just not maximized), appropriate nutrition would be provided to keep them in adequate condition for re-breeding, with the idea that it would take less overall feed to do so. </p><p></p><p>Or does limiting available nutrition not affect the mature size an animal will reach, but just delay the time it takes to get there?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Commercialfarmer, post: 790019, member: 14544"] Reading ranching magazine articles in the past, I have seen several discussions on nutrition of 1 and 2 year old heifers needing to be appropriate for a growing animal to maximize their potential. I understand that an appropriate % of mature weight needs to be met to limit chances of dystocia prior to breeding so that adequate pelvic diameter can be developed. However, I have often contemplated if a heifer with genetic potential to be larger frame/mass could be raised in a more limited environment, and have a response in limiting her from reaching her full size potential at maturation (maybe decreasing it by 200 lbs). Could this smaller framed, lighter weight cow be more conservative on feed (less overall body mass) but retain a genetic ability to raise a larger calf. With this model, the nutrition to the marketed calves would not be limited and once the cow's reached maturitity (slightly stunted for lack of a better term, or maybe just not maximized), appropriate nutrition would be provided to keep them in adequate condition for re-breeding, with the idea that it would take less overall feed to do so. Or does limiting available nutrition not affect the mature size an animal will reach, but just delay the time it takes to get there? [/QUOTE]
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Large Cow vs Midsize Cow - more anecdotal evidence
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