Ranchers and farmers who raise beef are constantly working to better their bottom line. The price of meat is a variable one, and the key to success is offering high quality while cutting costs whenever possible. Beef cattle genetics are fascinating to scientists who study heredity and genes, but the viewpoint of the producer is purely practical.
Genetics is the study of heredity, or how traits are passed from parent to off-spring. There are many new techniques in the cattle industry as a result of these studies. Line-breeding, or mating two cows with similar gene pools, can result in maximizing certain traits like rapid growth and top carcass quality (ratio of meat to bone, lean to fat, higher-quality cuts to lesser). However, breeding closely-related animals in order to get certain traits can lead to problems, like infertility, low survival rates in calves, and less resistance to disease.
Another modern practice is embryo transfer, when the fertilized eggs of a superior cow are implanted in cows of inferior breeding but which will make good mothers. The surrogates nurture the direct descendants of the donor cow. This can benefit those who produce breeding stock, but meat producers don't find this practice worth the expense and effort involved.
The smart producer will take advantage of modern advances in genetic science and combine them with personal experience and proven industry-wide methods. For instance, the traditional culling of unproductive cows from the herd still increases profits. Checking genetic records before choosing a bull means that high performing cows can be paired with bulls that pass their good traits along and overcome any weaknesses in the cows. This practice is key to gradual herd improvement.
A basic knowledge of heredity explains what ranchers already know, that breeding animals with similar genetic backgrounds (within the breed and with some common ancestors) can reduce health and vitality. Out-breeding, which means choosing animals within the breed but of different strains, works better in terms of conception, ability to carry and nurture a calf, and length of productive life.
What works even better is cross-breeding, when each parent is from a different breed. The good traits of both will be intensified by hybridization. Ranchers call it 'hybrid vigor' and value cross-breds for their excellent across-the-board performance.
With artificial insemination, it's possible to use the very best bulls to achieve goals necessary to prosperity. Some producers want to buy yearlings and fatten them for market. For them, fast weight gain and a good feed-to-meat conversion is all important. For the producer of calves, having cows that conceive readily, give birth easily, and nurture their calves well is the goal. For show cattle, good conformation is paramount.
Success in the cattle industry comes with good herd management and proper care of the very best cows obtainable. Genetics helps get the most out of the effort and expense of raising beef.
Genetics is the study of heredity, or how traits are passed from parent to off-spring. There are many new techniques in the cattle industry as a result of these studies. Line-breeding, or mating two cows with similar gene pools, can result in maximizing certain traits like rapid growth and top carcass quality (ratio of meat to bone, lean to fat, higher-quality cuts to lesser). However, breeding closely-related animals in order to get certain traits can lead to problems, like infertility, low survival rates in calves, and less resistance to disease.
Another modern practice is embryo transfer, when the fertilized eggs of a superior cow are implanted in cows of inferior breeding but which will make good mothers. The surrogates nurture the direct descendants of the donor cow. This can benefit those who produce breeding stock, but meat producers don't find this practice worth the expense and effort involved.
The smart producer will take advantage of modern advances in genetic science and combine them with personal experience and proven industry-wide methods. For instance, the traditional culling of unproductive cows from the herd still increases profits. Checking genetic records before choosing a bull means that high performing cows can be paired with bulls that pass their good traits along and overcome any weaknesses in the cows. This practice is key to gradual herd improvement.
A basic knowledge of heredity explains what ranchers already know, that breeding animals with similar genetic backgrounds (within the breed and with some common ancestors) can reduce health and vitality. Out-breeding, which means choosing animals within the breed but of different strains, works better in terms of conception, ability to carry and nurture a calf, and length of productive life.
What works even better is cross-breeding, when each parent is from a different breed. The good traits of both will be intensified by hybridization. Ranchers call it 'hybrid vigor' and value cross-breds for their excellent across-the-board performance.
With artificial insemination, it's possible to use the very best bulls to achieve goals necessary to prosperity. Some producers want to buy yearlings and fatten them for market. For them, fast weight gain and a good feed-to-meat conversion is all important. For the producer of calves, having cows that conceive readily, give birth easily, and nurture their calves well is the goal. For show cattle, good conformation is paramount.
Success in the cattle industry comes with good herd management and proper care of the very best cows obtainable. Genetics helps get the most out of the effort and expense of raising beef.
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