When creating a crossbreeding program, select breeds that complement each other and allow for maximization of the positive traits of each breed.
ability, maternal ability and longevity, he continues. The important thing to consider when creating a cross- breeding program is to select breeds that complement each other and allow for maximization of the positive traits of each breed. “Most crossbred herds in the South probably use a
different breed of bull from the base genetics of the cow herd to maintain some level of heterosis. The trick is to fi nd breeds that complement each other for reproduction, muscling, milk and size so that you don’t experience a ‘yo-yo’ effect in these traits from genera- tion to generation.”
Keep it simple When making a decision on crossbreeding for
maximum potential, Paschal offers this advice: Keep it simple. “Don’t make it too complicated,” he says. “Uni-
versity and Extension textbooks and bulletins are full of diagrams about 2-, 3- and 4-breed rotations or terminal crosses that look good on paper, with high levels of hybrid vigor. But they are diffi cult for most cattle raisers to duplicate, given the number of breed- ing herds, pastures and time required.” For this reason, Paschal says, American breeds
were created and many British and Continental breeds are now combining to form hybrids like Ultrablack, SimAngus and Southern Balancer. Most U.S. commercial crossbreeding systems use a
Need more information? Extension offi ces, breed associations, cattlemen’s
groups — even your local livestock market — can provide great input for your operation’s breed selec- tion, says Joe Paschal, professor and Extension live- stock specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Corpus Christi. “The diffi culty is in deciding which ideas or sug-
gestions are best for you and how to implement them,” he says. “Find someone you can bounce ideas off of. You don’t always have to take their advice, but it helps to have a different perspective.” Access more information at
beef.tamu.edu. In the
search box, type Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle: Type and Breed Characteristics and Uses.
crossbred cow — which in the South could be 25 to 50 percent Bos indicus — and a bull rotation that works for each operation. Often, bulls of breeds unrelated to the base cow herd can be used for 2 to 3 years, until their daughters come into the herd. Then, a new breed of bull is chosen for the next 2 to 3 years. “This keeps some level of hybrid vigor for mater-
nal ability and longevity in the herd, and provides hybrid vigor for growth in the calves.” Care should be taken in selection for milking ability, growth rate and mature size — and perhaps even hair coat color, so that there will be some uniformity for the traits across generations.” However, Paschal cautions that it is possible to get
too much of a good thing when selecting breeds for a region or market. “The chase for black hair coat color is a great ex-
ample from the past 30 years or so,” he says. “It’s not a bad idea from a marketing perspective, but the black hair coat has led to cattle that are not as environmen- tally adapted to the conditions they are being raised in, especially in the South and Gulf Coast. If the cows are not adapted and are nutritionally or heat-stressed, reproduction and production fall off signifi cantly. The same can be said for cattle that don’t shed their hair coats early.” With careful consideration and an understanding
of your goals as a cattleman, you can make the right decisions, and select the best breed of cattle for your business.
tscra.org
December 2016 The Cattleman 81
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