Author
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Macneil, Michael |
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Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Animal Science
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 2/3/2004 Publication Date: 1/31/2005 Citation: Macneil, M.D. 2005. p. 61-64. In: Beef cattle management: crossbreeding. Encyclopedia of Animal Science. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, New York. Interpretive Summary: Crossbreeding is one of the most beneficial management strategies for commercial beef production. Heterosis may increase weaning weight per cow exposed by up to 26% with only a 1% increase in energy consumed by cow-calf pairs. Exploiting heritable differences among breeds involves using breeds in specialized roles as sire and dam lines. Use of a terminal sire breed may increase the amount of retail product produced per cow in the breeding herd by 8%. Nine logistical considerations are identified and discussed as they influence the implementation of crossbreeding systems by farmers and ranchers. These factors are: relative merit of breeds available; market endpoint for the calves produced; pasture resources available; herd size; availability of labor at calving time; availability of labor just before the breeding season; method of obtaining replacements; system of identifying cows; and managerial ability. To select a workable crossbreeding system for an individual operation requires matching physical and natural resources of the ranch with genetic potentials of the livestock. Almost all operations will find some crossbreeding systems within their resource capabilities. Technical Abstract: Crossbreeding is one of the most beneficial management strategies for commercial beef production. Heterosis may increase weaning weight per cow exposed by up to 26% with only a 1% increase in energy consumed by cow-calf pairs. Exploiting heritable differences among breeds involves using breeds in specialized roles as sire and dam lines. Use of a terminal sire breed may increase the amount of retail product produced per cow in the breeding herd by 8%. Nine logistical considerations are identified and discussed as they influence the implementation of crossbreeding systems by farmers and ranchers. These factors are: relative merit of breeds available; market endpoint for the calves produced; pasture resources available; herd size; availability of labor at calving time; availability of labor just before the breeding season; method of obtaining replacements; system of identifying cows; and managerial ability. To select a workable crossbreeding system for an individual operation requires matching physical and natural resources of the ranch with genetic potentials of the livestock. Almost all operations will find some crossbreeding systems within their resource capabilities. |
