In Vietnam, the demand for beef is high, with most cattle raised on household farms. Northern provinces are urged to enhance both the quantity and quality of beef production, considering the bio-economic performance of cattle across varying farming systems. This study examines cattle production across three farm types in the northern mountainous region: smallholder mixed farms, medium farms with larger herds and collective pasture use, and specialized beef-breeding farms. It analyzes the relationship between poverty levels and resource availability among cattle-keeping and non-cattle-keeping farms, as well as across different remoteness and ethnic groups. The aim is to evaluate the suitability, efficiency, and sustainability of beef production among these farm types, based on a stratified sample and a survey of smallholder farms in Son La province. Findings indicate that productivity, organization, and economic success vary by region, with household farms typically raising cattle at low input levels. Revenue from cattle is linked to non-market functions, and less poor farmers have more resources for maintaining larger herds. Large farms face significant economic losses due to poor management and high feed costs. The medium mixed farm emerges as the most promising for profitable beef production, leveraging available pasture resources. Encouraging cooperative beef raising and marketing, alongside provincial support for policies
