Good further clarification, esshup!
The Indiana LMB record is 14# 12oz. (Impressive!)
If the "growth" genetics of a Florida-strain LMB could be plugged into a northern-strain LMB (to survive the colder winters), then do you think Indiana could produce a 20#+ LMB? (That would further support your and Lusk's arguments that the true "effective" growing season is equivalent in both places.)
I think it was Lusk? that pointed out that a 12# LMB in the north is much older than a 12# LMB in the south. The price for faster growth was shorter lifespan. And the cold winters in the north somewhat "slow the clock" on aging.
Feel free to clarify everything that is fuzzy (or dead wrong) in my speculation above.
