Selecting the Right Genetics (Matching Cows to your Environment) David W. Schafer Arizona Beef Day July 29, 2009

Questions to ask yourself to aid in selecting the right genetics What resources do I have available? – Labor – Forage availability – Topography – Climate

What is your marketing goal or target? – Sell calves at weaning – Sell calves as yearlings – Retain ownership through feedlot Questions to ask yourself to aid in selecting the right genetics

What type of mating system will I use? – Multi-purpose Designed to produce replacements & market animals Straightbreeding, rotational crossbreeding, composite crossbreeding & various modifications thereof – Terminal All calves go to market, no heifers retained Designed to increase weight, growth rate & lean muscle – Combination of Multi-purpose & Terminal Portion of the cows produce replacements while the rest are bred to terminal sires Questions to ask yourself to aid in selecting the right genetics

What is the optimal mature size and milk production I can handle? – Largely determined by forage availability Questions to ask yourself to aid in selecting the right genetics

Optimal Mature Size & Milk Production Potentials for Various Levels of Forage Availability Mature Size Potential Forage Availability & Milk Production Potential Large (> 1400 lbs) Medium (1100 – 1400 lbs) Small (< 1100 lbs) High Forage Availability HighMWTW MediumMW, MYTW LowMYTYAvoid Medium Forage Availability HighAvoidRiskyTW MediumAvoidMW, MYTW LowRiskyMY, TYTY Low Forage Availability HighAvoid Risky MediumAvoidRisky LowAvoidRiskyMW, MY MW = Good for multipurpose herds when calves are sold at weaning. MY = Good for multipurpose herds when calves are retained & sold as yearlings or at slaughter. TW = Good for herds with terminal crossing when calves are sold at weaning. TY = Good for herds with terminal crossing when calves are retained & sold as yearlings or slaughter.

Thanks to Don Kress, Mike MacNeil, and the Western Coordinating Committee for Beef Cattle Breeding (WCC-1) for the graph.

Based on the answers to the previous questions what breed or breeds am I going to use? Questions to ask yourself to aid in selecting the right genetics

Breed Growth Rate & Mature Size Lean to Fat Ratio Age at PubertyMilk Production JerseyXXXXXXXX LonghornXXXX XX Hereford-AngusXXXXXXXXXX Red PollXX XXX DevonXX XXXXX ShorthornXXXXXXXX GallowayXXXXX XX South DevonXXX XXXXX TarentaiseXXX XXXXX PinzgauerXXX XXXXX BrangusXXXXXXXXXXXX BrahmanXXX XXXXXXXX NelloreXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BraunviehXXXX XXXXXX GelbviehXXXX XXXXXX HosteinXXXX XXXXXXX SimmentalXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Maine AnjouXXXXXXXXXXXX SalersXXXXXXXXXXXX PiedmonteseXXXXXXXXXXX LimousinXXXXXXXXXXXXX CharolaisXXXXX XXXXX ChianinaXXXXX XXXXX Relative Performance of 25 Common Beef Breeds Increasing number of X’s indicates higher values. From Cundiff et al. (1993).

V Bar V Ranch Breeding Project Evaluate the performance of various purebreds &/or composites from conception to consumption using Herefords as our control population. Evaluate at least 150 animals of each breed type by bringing in 50 head over a 3 year period to reduce environmental effects.

Hereford Breeds being evaluated at the V Bar V

Bar T Bar Composite – ¼ Angus, ¼ Hereford, ¼ Gelbvieh, ¼ Barzona/Senepol

CGC Composite – ½ Red Angus, ¼ Charolais, ¼ Tarentaise – USDA Research Center, Miles City, MT Breeds being evaluated at the V Bar V

Waguli – ½ Wagyu, ½ Tuli Breeds being evaluated at the V Bar V

Tuli Breeds being evaluated at the V Bar V

Breed of Dam Solutions BreedBWWW BTB CGC Hereford Mixed Tuli Waguli Waguli-X

Breed of Sire Solutions BreedBWWWExample WW Angus Red Angus CGC Hereford Wagyu Tuli Waguli00400

Heterosis coefficient for BW & WW For every 1% increase in heterosis, we are getting an increase in BW of lbs and an increase in WW of lbs. Example #1: Hereford crossed on Hereford is zero heterosis. A Hereford crossed on a CGC is 100% heterosis. 100 x = 2.4 lbs increased BW and 100 x = 19.3 lbs increased WW Example #2: Hereford bull crossed on BTB cow equals 75% heterosis since the BTB composite is 25% Hereford. 75 x = 1.8 lbs increased BW and 75 x = 14.5 lbs increased WW

Age of Dam Adjustment Factors for BW & WW Age of Dam V-V BW BIF BW V-V WW BIF Male WW BIF Female WW

Summary Selecting the right genetics is about knowing what forage resources you have and knowing your marketing objective. Study breed characteristics before selecting. Good crossbreeding systems will add pounds and value to your cow herd.

Questions?