Killala-
[how is that big gut important? When it comes down to it, it all get's cut out anyway.
I'm not interested in what is 'show' appeal, I'm after functional cattle, and all I see when I look at a gut like the one in the other post is a heap of waste, IMO.]
I do see your point, however If one is concerned with building a herd with Replacement Heifers and tending toward gluttonism (Terminal traits), the "big gut", as you put it, is indicative of a large enough capacity for the female to be able to produce a reasonably sturdy healthy calf, over and over and over, for several years. THAT tips the scale toward PROFIT, and producing a marketable calf earlier rather than later. The important factor here is not the "Big Gut", per se, but the volume of space in the producing cow to be able to produce a good sized, healthy calf, AND stay healthy herself so that she will cycle quickly, conceive immediately and produce another PROFIT making calf with no skips, misses or Veterinary bills to cut into that PROFIT. It is a narrow window at which to aim to hit a Moderate sized brood cow which won't eat away at your PROFIT, and at the same time produce a calf every year of her life! The ability to do those deeds is what determines a successful breeder of beef cattle.
DOC HARRIS