Bigger, heavier heifers may not be better for beef marketing. Over the past 50 years, the gap between steer weights and heifer weights has closed significantly. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension economist, reviews heifer development and the potential impact on beef demand.
Source: Drovers, May 21, 2018. Link.
Clearly, the industry continues to feed heifers more and more efficiently over time. There may, however be a downside. Research at Oklahoma State University has shown that big carcasses lead to big beef cut sizes which may limit demand.