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Cow Efficiency
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hog987
Posted 1/22/2017 22:04 (#5787263 - in reply to #5785401)
Subject: RE: Cow Efficiency



Central Alberta
Jim - 1/22/2017 10:21

I think there has been some research that shows that smaller cows require less feed than larger cows. Maybe it's not linear but in general seems to make sense.

From a simple physics standpoint, a smaller cow has less surface area to lose heat from than a larger cow, so it does make sense that less fuel is required to keep the furnace stoked and maintain internal body temperature.



No the smaller cow is less efficient in cold weather. yes they have less surface area but the volume to surface area ratio is higher. Meaning they have more surface area per unit of volume to radiate heat.

Imagine a cubic foot. It has 6 square feet of surface area. Now take another cubic foot to the first one so two of the sides are touching. Now you have 2 cubic feet of volume but only 10 square feet of surface area to radiate the heat away. Now add another two cubic feet on top of the first two. Now you have four cubic feet but 16 square feet of surface area. Each cubic foot on its own would be a total of 24 square feet of surface area.

In colder climates bigger animals are therefore more heat efficient. This tends to be the reason why the cattle here in Canada tend to be of larger size than ones south of us.
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