The first thing I did when I bought cows, I bought a set of scales.
Why weigh cows? Other than to make in herd management decisions, I don't see the need. For cow weights to have any value for comparison, they have to be taken at the same time in reproductive cycle...age is a factor...climate conditions are different for each year. Weights are useful for in-herd comparison at the time of weighing. It's more important what the cow produces than what she weighs.
Look at whitetail deer...same species from the Gulf Coast to Canada. Down here a trophy buck may go over 200 pounds...in the Northern USA or Canada, it would go over 300 pounds. Cow weights are going to vary for the same reasons...climate. FH makes a good point that carcass weights are up...I think, largely because of the race for bigger EPD numbers. Without increased demand for beef, that translates to fewer producers needed!!! I think producers have been shooting themselves in the foot by designing our production system from what the packer wants back to the producer. For producers to be more profitable, we have to raise the COW that fits our environment...the one that has a properly functioning endocrine system is the one that fits best. She, when bred right, will produce a calf with a properly functioning endocrine system and that calf will be efficient through out its life.
When I came to this conclusion, I hung my scales in the barn and forgot about EPDs.
Disclaimer: These are my opinions and are not meant to influence anyone's management decisions.
