Why does one animal gain 4 lbs./day when a full sibling gains 2 lbs./day? Why do some calves in the herd with similar genetics start out behind and stay behind in development through their entire life cycle? Why doesn't every cow breed at the same rate of efficiency as another?

Ron Lemenager, Purdue University animal scientist, says that the answers to these and similar questions may trace back to what happens during fetal development, especially early in the pregnancy. He calls it "fetal programming," meaning that events that happen early in the pregnancy may determine certain attributes of the animal that stick with it for its entire life.

To read more about fetal programming, click here.

You might also like:

3 steps to negotiating a great cow lease

Prevention and treatment of cow prolapse

Gallery: Ranching is a family affair; meet the generations on the ranch

What's the best breeding weight for beef heifers?

Grass-fed vs grain-fed ground beef | Research shows no difference in healthfulness