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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #108499
Title: CROSSBREEDING BEEF CATTLE FOR WESTERN RANGE ENVIRONMENTS

Author
item KRESS, DON - MAES
item Macneil, Michael

Submitted to: WCC-1 Committee Publications
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: KRESS, D.D., MACNEIL, M.D. CROSSBREEDING BEEF CATTLE FOR WESTERN RANGE ENVIRONMENTS. WCC-1 COMMITTEE PUBLICATIONS. 1999. p. 1-21.

Interpretive Summary: The Western United States has beef cattle range environments that make the region unique. Crossbreeding has many advantages, especially for this region. Results from beef cattle experiments in the Western region have shown that crossbreds are superior to straightbreds for many traits and that important levels of heterosis occur. Heterosis is especially important for maternal traits and adds up to an added value of $70 per cow per year or an added value of $400 per lifetime of the cow. It is important that the biological type of the cow is well matched to the environment and resources of the operation. Breeders should utilize a planned crossbreeding system to take advantage of heterosis and breed complementarity. Even if a breeder has only one breeding pasture, there are several convenient and effective systems that can be used. Many crossbreeding systems can be used with F1 or composite sires to utilize paternal heterosis, to meet 50% British - 50% Continental targets, and to increase consistency. The choice of the appropriate system, biological type of cow, and sire breed must be based on sound research information and a dose of common sense.

Technical Abstract: The Western United States has beef cattle range environments that make the region unique. Crossbreeding has many advantages, especially for this region. Results from beef cattle experiments in the Western region have shown that crossbreds are superior to straightbreds for many traits and that important levels of heterosis occur. Heterosis is especially important for maternal traits and adds up to an added value of $70 per cow per year or an added value of $400 per lifetime of the cow. It is important that the biological type of the cow is well matched to the environment and resources of the operation. Breeders should utilize a planned crossbreeding system to take advantage of heterosis and breed complementarity. Even if a breeder has only one breeding pasture, there are several convenient and effective systems that can be used. Many crossbreeding systems can be used with F1 or composite sires to utilize paternal heterosis, to meet 50% British - 50% Continental targets, and to increase consistency. The choice of the appropriate system, biological type of cow, and sire breed must be based on sound research information and a dose of common sense.