Posted 9:20 pm Sunday, January 29, 2012
Animal Performance Shaped By Genetics, Environment
When it comes to livestock, animal performance is determined by two factors -- genetics and the environment.
Environmental factors may include climate, topography, forages, disease, management practices and economics. In 2011 with the drought, several of these factors came into play.
When determining genetic strategies for your beef herd, four steps should be examined. First, determine your production conditions including climate, forages and marketing making sure your herd fits these conditions. Second, chose the proper breeding system to fit your operation. Third, identify the types and breeds of cattle that will fit into the first two considerations. Fourth, select for breeding the most useful individuals within those breeds.
Today, more than 75 breeds of cattle exits in the United States. Producers need to determine which breeding system they would like to be in. Are you a straight breed or cross breed producer? There are two basic breeding systems for commercial production. One is the continuous system and the other is the terminal system. There are combinations of both of these systems. Producers should understand the differences to avoid inefficient and costly mistakes.
In a continuous system, the replacement females are produced in the herd. Calves from a continuous system have two functions. Some heifers are saved for replacements and go back into the herd, while others are grown or finished out for beef production.
In a terminal system, the replacement females are not put back into the herd, but are brought in from outside sources. All calves in a terminal system have one use, the production of beef.
When it comes to genetic classifications, cattle fall into two basic classifications, bos taurus (non-humped) and bos indicus (humped). Cattle are not native to the western hemisphere. Bos taurus cattle were brought into the United States from the British Isles and western continental Europe. Bos indicus cattle came from south central Asia. There are intermediates, which contain both bos taurus and bos indicus, created in Texas. The intermediates have been termed American breeds.
British breeds are cattle with British origins and combinations among those breeds used for beef production only. British breeds include Angus, Hereford, Red Angus and Shorthorn.
Continental Beef breeds are cattle from Continental European breeds and derivatives developed exclusively for beef production. These are part of what is sometimes called "exotics." Continental Beef breeds include Charolais, Chianina and Limousin.
Continental Dual Purpose breeds are selected for both beef and dairy production in their native areas, mostly Continental European, and combinations of beef and dairy breeds. In the United States, Continental Dual Purpose breeds are used for beef. Continental Dual Purpose breeds include Braunvieh, Gelbvieh, Maine-Anjou, Salers and Simmental.
Dairy breeds originated in the western Continental Europe or the British Isles selected in the United States for dairy purposes only, with beef production occasionally secondary. Dairy breeds include Jersey and Holstein.
Bos indicus breeds are of pure or very high percentage bos indicus backgrounds and are used only for beef production. Bos indicus breeds include Brahman.
American breeds are cattle created in the United States from combinations of about one-fourth to one-half tropical-adapted inheritance. Typically, the bos indicus-derived Brahman, with the remainder usually consisting of British beef breeds, with some Continental Beef or Continental Dual Purpose breeds. American breeds include Beefmaster, Braford, Brangus, Red Brangus, Santa Gertrudis and Simbrah.
Specialty breeds are cattle that cannot be place logically into any of these groups. Often these cattle are characterized by particular emphasis on certain traits. Specialty breeds of cattle include the Texas Longhorn.
There is no "best" type or breed for beef production. Each offers variation to climate, production conditions and market requirements. Knowing functional levels of types and breeds can help producers optimize animal performance to achieve the highest profit.
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