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.
Many farmers find that combining new knowledge with tried-and-true methods from their practical experience works best. Culling has been done by successful producers for generations. This involves the regular removal of less productive animals from the herd, to save on the cost of feeding and care. With knowledge gained from checking genetic records, the herdsman can pair high-producing cows with bulls selected for the traits they pass along that mesh with the rancher's goals for production and herd improvement.
Understanding the way heredity works is important in herd management. Animals with similar gene pools can often maximize certain characteristics in their off-spring, like fast weight gain or superior carcass quality. This is 'line' or 'in' breeding, in which two animals with common ancestors are mated. Although the practice can achieve certain goals, it also can weaken the over-all health and vitality of successive generations. For better results in fertility, calf survival, and long productive life, out-breeding is used, which mates animals of one breed but in no way related.
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.
Many farmers find that combining new knowledge with tried-and-true methods from their practical experience works best. Culling has been done by successful producers for generations. This involves the regular removal of less productive animals from the herd, to save on the cost of feeding and care. With knowledge gained from checking genetic records, the herdsman can pair high-producing cows with bulls selected for the traits they pass along that mesh with the rancher's goals for production and herd improvement.
Understanding the way heredity works is important in herd management. Animals with similar gene pools can often maximize certain characteristics in their off-spring, like fast weight gain or superior carcass quality. This is 'line' or 'in' breeding, in which two animals with common ancestors are mated. Although the practice can achieve certain goals, it also can weaken the over-all health and vitality of successive generations. For better results in fertility, calf survival, and long productive life, out-breeding is used, which mates animals of one breed but in no way related.
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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