300: Bigger Isn’t Always Better —The Economics Behind Cow Size

Cow size isn’t just a preference—it’s one of the biggest economic drivers in your operation. In this solo episode, Lauren breaks down the real cost of bigger cows and how they impact feed requirements, stocking rates, drought resilience, and overall profitability. From the biology to the math, this episode challenges producers to take a hard look at whether their cow size actually fits their environment—and their margin.

Links

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Key Takeaways

• Bigger cows require significantly more feed year-round
• Small daily intake differences add up to major annual costs
• Efficiency is about output relative to sizem, not just weaning weight
• Cow size directly impacts stocking rate and drought flexibility
• Reproduction and body condition are tied to energy demands
• Herd size can unintentionally increase over time through replacements
• Cow size should match forage resources not preference

Chapters

00:00 – The question most producers avoid
02:00 – The biology of cow size
05:00 – The math behind feed costs
08:00 – Efficiency and weaning weight
11:00 – Drought and reproduction impact
14:00 – Final thoughts and key questions

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