Kris Ringwall
Beef Talk
Controlling cow size means knowing one’s cows and what they weigh.
“Would a herd of 120 smaller-framed cows be a better fit than a herd of 100 larger-framed cows?” That’s an often-asked question throughout the beef industry.
The number of cows will vary, but for the sake of answering the question, let’s set the herd size as 120 smaller-framed cows and 100 larger-framed cows. The Dickinson Research Extension Center has explored the question since the mid-1990s.
Recently, we summarized some thoughts as we explored cow size, expanded the forage base, adopted May-June calving and retained ownership of calves. The net result was a 10% increase in revenue for the smaller-framed cows, when compared with the larger-framed cows, based on steer calf performance. Although the smaller-framed cows’ revenue per finished steer was lower, $821.81 vs. larger-framed cows at $895.82, the total finished steer net return was $4,517 greater from the smaller-framed cow herd.
The final check showed smaller-framed cows earned $49,308 ($821.81 times 60 steers), while larger-framed cows earned $44,791 ($895.82 times 50 steers). The small-framed cow stocking rate was 20% more, resulting in the sale of 20% more steer calves.
This data is the result of research funded through the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and reported by visiting scholar Songul Şentürklü and center animal scientist Doug Landblom. Further information is available at the center’s website at http://tinyurl.com/DRECstockingrate.
In the Fall, the traditional center cows average approximately 1,450 pounds (lb.). The smaller-framed, Lowline-influenced cows weighed in at approximately 1,100 lb. These are data that generate more questions. In fact, cow size is a very debated and discussed beef topic, and it’s certainly a topic on the agenda for many beef producers because controlling costs is a major beef production issue.
Reviewing the data from years 2012 through 2014, following the switch to May-June calving, provides more insight to help answer producer questions. The center has identified three major cost-cutting points:
- First is a later calving date to decrease labor.
- Second is an intensified multiple-crop rotation that includes cover crops, harvesting some crops and grazing the majority of the acreages by cows, calves and yearlings to lower overhead.
- Third is controlling cow size to decrease inputs and increase ranch output.
Leading the pack, and certainly eligible for boss cow status, were three cows just under a ton. The next 30 cows weighed from 1,895 to 1,700 lb. The center had 86 cows that weighed from 1,695 to 1,500 lb. and 90 cows that weighed in at 1,490 lb. to 1,305 lb. As the cows got lighter, 52 cows weighed from 1,295 lb. to 1,100 lb. The 64 lightest cows weighed in under 1,100 lb.
Because many factors affect cow size, several thoughts came to mind. The first factor is age, followed by breed, environment, nutritional history, stage of production and many other factors.
As a result of wanting to better understand the impact of cow size, the center essentially sold off the really big cows and the really small cows and split the remaining cows into what we would call a more traditional herd, with a targeted weight of 1,450 lb., and a smaller-framed herd targeted to weigh 300 lb. lighter, at 1,150 lb. Prior to 2008, the center had experience with Lowline genetics, and a 300-lb. difference seemed achievable within a traditional Angus, Red Angus, Simmental and Hereford beef herd.
At this point, when a producer keeps calves to finish and takes advantage of appropriate stocking rates and practices good sire selection, controlling cow size is positive. Keep in mind, controlling cow size does not mean a particular size of cow will work everywhere, because each operation and environment may support a particular size of cow.
However, controlling cow size does mean knowing one’s cows and what they weigh so that appropriate stocking rates can be achieved and implemented.
The other factor is sire selection. Herd sires that control frame, but support desired gain and carcass characteristics need to be utilized. As a caution, decreasing the size of cattle is easy to do, thereby decreasing herd performance. However, the astute producers understand the genetics of cattle size and only then set out to decrease cow size with increased herd performance.
Questions remain, but for now, controlling cow size will help reduce costs and may add income.
May you find all your ear tags.
For more information, contact your local North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Service agent (https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension/directory) or Ringwall at the Dickinson Research Extension Center, 1041 State Ave., Dickinson, ND 58601; 701-456-1103; or kris.ringwall@ndsu.edu.
Editor’s Note: Kris Ringwall is a beef specialist for the North Dakota State University Extension Service.
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