Producers have many tools available to use in making genetic improvement. The trick is to know which tools are appropriate for their operations. To help make those choices, a producer must first identify goals for the operation.
“A reasonable goal for the beef industry is to produce low-cost, high-profit cattle that yield competitively priced, highly palatable, lean products while conserving and improving the resources utilized,” Tom Field, Colorado State University, told attendees of the 35th Annual Meeting of the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF). The meeting was held May 28-30, 2003, in Lexington, Ky.
Several factors must be taken into account to determine how to best reach the goals you set. Among the factors are trends in the consumer marketplace, structural challenges within the beef production system, the cost-effectiveness of the program, and the availability of genetic tools. A brief summary of a few of the genetic tools follows. More in-depth information can be found in the proceedings paper, which can be downloaded by clicking on the link
Field says there are three primary genetic tools available to cow-calf producers — selection pressure, breed differences and mating systems. He says that any technologies developed should be cost-effective and user-friendly for producers
Field says that crossbreeding is one tool that can maximize genetic benefits by exploiting breed differences and creating heterosis. He gives these reasons
• No breed does all things well
• Careful matching of breed strengths and weaknesses can yield optimal trait combinations
• Hybrid vigor provides a buffer against environmental stress that allows crossbred animals to be more productive in some traits than the average of the parental breeds that originated the cross
• The advantage of heterosis is greatest in reproductive performance
FField warns that implementing an effective crossbreeding system requires thoughtful planning, may increase management intensity and must account for the resource limitations of a particular ranch. If not designed properly could yield less-than-desirable results. Field said the late Bob DeBaca provided four primary reasons crossbreeding system might fail
(1) Overuse of independent cattle breeds that have too much in them (too much milk, birth weight, mature size, etc.);
(2) Using a system that is too complicated or not implemented in a systematic way;
(3) Seedstock producers’ failing to develop the expertise and a service orientation to assist in developing a good crossing system; and
(4) Using poor-quality bulls
To access the audio of Field’s presentation and the proceedings paper, visit the newsroom.
