Thanks Silver. I don't sell feeder calves so I have no experience. But the mathematical concept floated seems great on paper (more small cows-more calves-more pounds) but in practice I was curious how effective it was. I'm glad you had real data to provide for context.
I also question the concept of the 1,100 lb beef cow. I have a scale and the only cow near 1,100 lbs is a 6 year old jersey that was my daughters clover bud 4H calf. That cow is nothing but bones/leather/bag and she is 1,100. Her twin sister looks the same but still weighs 1,250. If one of my beef cows weighs 1,100 they are very ill. And my cows are NOT large by any stretch (I live in cattle country, lots of cows around).
Well here is a pic of a 5 year old cow that's 1150lbs along with her 5 mo old calf...
Silver, the problem is it's not as simple as your gross profits on sale day (my calves average closer to 580 usually when I sell so quite a bit higher than the example given). You have to consider all of your inputs from feed, mineral, to time. I would agree it's not all about size. Two 1400 lb beef cows of the same breed can have very different maintenance/ input costs. That's where fleshing and feed efficiency come in. Genetics, and understanding their role can make or break things these days. My cows get fat staring at dead 3 awns.
I got 5.5 inches of rain this year at home and I've been at 15 below already this winter. The lease ground pictured is 20 miles north of me and got more rain but still dry for them. Theres about 100 acres of it that is sub irrigated and that is what they are standing on in the picture. The rest of the pasture is pretty rough even there. Easy fleshing is among the top traits I sort for. A lot of guys here with similar land and MUCH lower stocking rates had to start feeding hay in July due to the drought. I just started this week. 5 months of extra hay purchase plus all the extra inputs... there's no way those guys are even close to having better profit margins. I get good money for my calves, sleep all night in calving season and can't remember the last cow I had to doctor...I'm culling a couple heifers this year that weaned nice calves on the sole basis that they didn't bounce back fast enough after their first calf and aren't as easy fleshing.
Most large framed Angus are not well suited for my specific Arid northern environment for the sole fact of feed efficiency/fleshing. The ability to gain and store fat is what makes animals thrive and grow in the cold. Most large framed cattle fall apart On native pasture here and can't maintain and gain without extra supplementation. My bulls get nothing but pasture and some hay in the winter (more on drought years like this). If I'm feeding really low quality hay or dead pasture I'll supplement a 21% tub and they make those last a long time...that's it other than water. We ran a lot of stockers growing up and some larger framed crosses...my dad made the comment that he can't believe how easy it is now with these cows and the right genetics with cows suited to their environment.
To each their own...
