Author
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Macneil, Michael |
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Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Animal Science
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2004 Publication Date: 1/15/2005 Citation: Macneil, M.D. 2005. Beef cattle management: crossbreeding. pp. 61-64. In Encyclopedia of Animal Science. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York. 800 pp. 2004. (Book Chapter). Interpretive Summary: The processes involved in choosing a crossbreeding system to implement on a farm or ranch are numerous, complex, and interactive. Traditional experimentation has described benefits to be derived from capturing heterosis and exploiting breed differences, but little guidance has been provided as to the selection of a particular system. To select a workable crossbreeding system for an individual operation requires matching managerial, physical, and natural resources of the ranch with genetic potentials of the livestock. The goal of this paper is to review this matching process. It is concluded that almost all operations will find some crossbreeding systems within their resource capabilities. The intended audience for this work is beef producers, extension personnel, and students with interest in beef production systems. 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. Crossbreeding systems allow beef producers to capture these benefits. Discussed in this paper are the general characteristics of crossbreeding systems and nine factors involved in the choice of a crossbreeding system for implementation. Those factors are: 1) relative merit of breeds available; 2) market endpoint for the calves produced; 3) pasture resources available; 4) size of the herd; 5) availability of labor at calving time; 6) availability of labor just before the breeding season; 7) method of obtaining replacements; 8) system of identifying cows; and 9) managerial ability and desire to 'make the system work.' To select a workable crossbreeding system for an individual operation requires matching managerial, 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. |
