Thursday, September 26, 2013

Taking Advantage Of Beef Cattle Genetics Improvements

By Paulette Short


Beef cattle genetics allows farmers to identify and ascertain the upper and lower limits expected from their animals. This information is important in setting the goals of any animal rearing enterprise. Some of the goals include the market options that can be pursued with full knowledge of the production potential of chosen herds. Clarity on the performance of the animals is used as an indicator of possible profits.

Genomics focuses on performance determining traits such as weaning rate, survival rate, sale weight, cow weight and the ease with which a cow calves. Other determinant factors include marbling score, P8 fat depth and retail beef yield. These factors determine the overall profitability of a herd or breed. Studying these factors with the aim of enhancing them makes the enterprise more profitable.

Profitability is not only anchored on genomics. Other factors that affect the margins in an enterprise include management issues and the quality of pasture fed to the animals. Genomics plays a complementary role in meeting the goals of enterprise. Genetic improvement seeks to build the capacity of the heard to produce more. Management plays a crucial role in determining the profit margins.

The behavior of each animal suggests desirable traits and should guide selection. Some desirable traits include temperament and calving ease. Mild temperament allows the animal to be reared with others in the same shed without commotion. A cow that calves with ease does not require constant supervision and thus makes management easier. These and other factors should be considered when selecting a bull or cow for the next generation. The herd should be less expensive to manage with the right traits. The traits are either permanent or cumulatively acquired.

The pivot of genetic improvement is the use of a superior bull to sire the next generation in the herd. Production environment and market target are the determinants of breed superiority. The characteristics desired from each breed depend on the purpose. Better yields are demanded for herds that are for commercial purposes. The choice of a desirable traits is made by experts depending on expected results.

It is important to sustain the momentum of genetic improvement. This is only possible when inbreeding is controlled. This means that culling must be selective and purposeful. The management of a herd should identify the market that seeks to be served and make progressive decisions that will lead to higher gains. This is a tactical approach to having a breeding herd.

The bull selected for the purpose of calve production must give value for money because of its ability to improve the quality of your herd. There are commercial breeders who specialize in giving the market the best animals. It is important to have a concrete breeding program with long term plans. The implications of cross breeding and changing breeds should be considered during such a venture.

Beef cattle genetics seeks to reap maximum profit by exploiting superior hereditary traits in an animal. A superior herd arises out of a combination of cross breeding and inbreeding. The main determinant of superiority of any herd is the bull because it can produce more calves in a short time. Beyond genetics, other factors to consider include herd selection, nutrition and marketing strategy to maximize yield.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment