Applied Beef Cattle Breeding and Selection Larry V. Cundiff ARS-USDA-U.S. Meat Animal Research Center 2008 Beef Cattle Production Management Series-Module II Great Plains Veterinary Education Center University of Nebraska, Clay Center June 4, 2008

Home Work Assignment for Module 2 Assume you are commercial breeder using a two-breed rotation of Angus and Herefords. You need to select three bulls for use this year to maintain your breeding program. Using the tables of breed averages provided, the 2007 Across Breed EPD Table provided, and the web sites of the Angus and Hereford breeds answer the following questions.

Home Work Assignment for Module 2 1) 1)For birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, and Milk, what is the breed average EPD for Angus bulls (within breed average for each trait)? From Angus web site: BW = 2.2, WW = 42, YW = 77, Milk = 20 From table handed out: BW= 2.3, WW = 38, YW = 65, Milk = 15 2) For birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, and Milk, what is the breed average EPD for Hereford bulls (within breed average for each trait)? From Hereford web site: BW = 3.6, WW = 40, YW = 67, Milk = 16 From table handed out: BW = 3.7, WW = 3, YW = 65, Milk = 15

Home Work Assignment for Module 2 3) 3)For birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, and Milk, what is the breed average Across Breed – EPD (AB- EPD) for each trait? For Angus: BW = = 2.2 WW = = 42 YW = = 77 MILK = = 20 4) 4)For Herefords: BW = = 6.3 WW = = 36.9 YW = = 54.3 MILK = = 0.3

Home Work Assignment for Module 2 In selecting three bulls of each breed, what range in AB-EPDs would you like to specify for birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, and Milk? Considering traits you wish to emphasize in your breeding programs, discuss why you have specified these ranges for these traits. Answer is arbitrary, goals not same for everyone For purposes of this exercise, I chose AB-EPDs bracketing the midpoint of breed average AB-EPDs for Angus and Herefords. BWWWYW Milk Angus Hereford Mid-point Range 3 to to 15

Home Work Assignment for Module 2 6) 6)Then back solving, determine the range for within breed EPDs that this AB-EPD range would allow in the Angus and Hereford bulls for birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, and Milk? Discuss why you have specified these ranges. BWWWYWMilk Angus3 to 538 to 43, 60 to 70, 5 to 15 Hereford AB-EPD 3 to 538 to 4360 to 705 to 15 minus Factor - ( 2.7) - (- 3.1)- (-12.7) - (-15.7) w/in breed range.3 to to to 8321 to 31 Searching Angus data base (8 “main sires” were available) Searching Hereford base 570 bulls were available

ACROSS BREED EPDs (AB-EPDs) (Notter and Cundiff, 1992) BIF Proceedings Annually (Van Vleck and Cundiff) (Kuehn et al. 2007, 2008) Tables produced to provide for comparison of individuals in different breeds on the same EPD scale for BW, WW, YW and MILK

AB-EPDs Within breed EPDs are accurate predictors of purebred and crossbred performance.Within breed EPDs are accurate predictors of purebred and crossbred performance. AB-EPDs are most useful for selecting bulls of two or more breeds for use in crossbreeding.AB-EPDs are most useful for selecting bulls of two or more breeds for use in crossbreeding. Uniformity in AB-EPDs should be emphasized for rotational crossing.Uniformity in AB-EPDs should be emphasized for rotational crossing. Divergence in AB-EPDs should be emphasized in selection of bulls for terminal crossing or calving ease in first calf heifers.Divergence in AB-EPDs should be emphasized in selection of bulls for terminal crossing or calving ease in first calf heifers.

Home Work Assignment for Module 2 Other traits that can be considered based on within breed EPD available: Angus TraitCEDYHSCMWMHCWMarbREFAT Mean Hereford TraitCEDCEMSCFATREIMF% Mean

ADJUSTMENT FACTORS TO ADD TO EPDs OF SIXTEEN BREEDS TO ESTIMATE AB-EPDs (SPRING, 2008) Breed BWT WNWTYRWTMILK Hereford Angus Shorthorn S. Devon Brahman Simmental Limousin Charolais Maine Anjou Gelbvieh Tarentaise Salers Red Angus Braunvieh Brangus Beefmaster (Kuehn et al., 2008)

BREEDS MEANS AND DEVIATIONS FROM ANGUS ON INDUSTRY SCALE (SPRING, 2008 GENETIC EVALUATIONS), LB Breed BWT WNWTYRWTMILK Hereford 89 ( 4.1)519 (- 4.4) 884 (- 22.3) Angus85 ( 0.0)524 ( 0.0)906 ( 0.0) 4.7 Shorthorn 91 ( 6.5) 527 ( 3.8) 898 ( - 8.2) 5.3 S. Devon 88 ( 3.5) 525 ( 1.3) 899 ( - 7.5)0.3 Brahman96(11.9) 533 ( 9.6) 854 (- 52.3)18.1 Simmental 89 ( 4.7) 538 (14.2) 904 ( - 2.3) 3.6 Limousin 88 ( 3.5) 518 (- 5.6) 876 (- 30.1)- 7.7 Charolais 93 ( 8.6) 543 (19.2) 916 ( 10.0)- 5.5 Maine Anjou 91 ( 6.7) 518 (- 5.1) 878 (- 28.9)- 1.4 Gelbvieh 89 ( 4.1) 527 ( 3.5) 881 (- 24.9)8.7 Tarentaise 87 ( 2.3) 518 (- 6.0) 859 (- 47.3) 6.2 Salers 88 ( 3.1) 529 ( 5.9) 902 ( - 4.7)6.1 Red Angus 85 ( 0.9)507 (-16.1)884 (- 21.9) Braunvieh 89 ( 4.2) 517 (- 7.0) 856 ( -50.0)10.0 Brangus 90 ( 5.1) 533 ( 9.1)898 ( - 8.7) Beefmaster 92 ( 7.4) 534 (10.8) 887 (- 19.1) Kuehn et al. (2008)

REGRESSION COEFFICIENTS FOR CARCASS TRAITS IN STEERS PROGENY (n=1224) ON EPDs OF THEIR SIRES (s = 264) IN EIGHT BREEDS Marbling Rib eye area (REA) Fat thickness (FAT) Kuehn et al. (2008)

MEAN EPDs FOR CARCASS TRAITS (Spring 2008 Evaluations) Breed MARB (sc) REA (in 2 )FAT (in) Angus S. Devon Simmental Limousin Charolais Maine Anjou Salers Red Angus (Kuehn et. al., 2008)

ADJUSTMENT FACTORS TO ADD TO EPDs OF EIGHT BREEDS TO ESTIMATE AB-EPDs (SPRING, 2008) Breed MARB (sc) REA (in 2 )FAT (in) Angus S. Devon Simmental Limousin Charolais Maine Anjou Salers Red Angus (Kuehn et al., 2008)

CARCASS TRAIT BREED MEANS AND DEVIATIONS FROM ANGUS (SPRING, 2008 GENETIC EVALUATIONS) Breed MARB (sc)REA (in 2 ) FAT(in) Angus5.78 ( 0.00)12.21 ( 0.00)0.558 ( 0.000) S. Devon5.24 (- 0.54) ( 0.19) ( ) Simmental 4.77 (- 1.01) ( 0.59)0.224 ( ) Limousin 4.44 (- 1.34) ( 0.84) Charolais 4.75 (- 1.03) ( 0.50) (-0.365) Maine Anjou 4.64 (- 1.14)13.11 ( 0.90) ( ) Salers 5.41 (- 0.37) ( 0.42) ( ) Red Angus 5.55 (- 0.23)12.00 (- 0.21)0.486 ( ) Kuehn et al. (2008)

SYSTEMATIC CROSSBREEDING OR COMPOSITE POPULATIONS Use:Heterosis Breed differences Complementarity among breeds to match genetic potential : Complementarity among breeds to match genetic potential : Consumer preferences Feed resources Climatic environment

SIRE BREEDS USED IN THE GERMPLASM EVALUATION PROGRAM AT THE USMARC Cycle I Cycle II Cycle III Cycle IV Cycle V Cycle VI Cycle VII Cycle VIII F 1 Crosses (Hereford or Angus dams) a HerefordHerefordHerefordHerefordHerefordHerefordHerefordHereford AngusAngusAngusAngusAngusAngusAngusAngus JerseyRed PollBrahmanLonghornTuliWagyuRed AngusBeefmaster S. DevonBraunviehSahiwalSalersBoranNorweg. RedLimousinBrangus LimousinGelbviehPinzgauerGallowayBelg. Blue Sw. Red&Wh.CharolaisBonsmara SimmentalMaine Anj.TarentaiseNelloreBrahmanFriesianSimmentalRomosinuano CharolaisChianinaShorthornPiedmonteseGelbvieh Piedmontese 3-way crossesCharolais HerefordHerefordGelbvieh AngusAngusPinzgauer BrahmanBrangus DevonSanta Gertrudis Holstein a Sire breeds mated to Angus and Hereford females, Composite MARC III (1/4 Angus, Hereford, Red Poll and Pinzgauer) cows were also included in Cycles V, VI, and VII.

YearBritishContinentalAmericanTotal1000s AHShRATotal%CSLGTotal%BmSGBrgBfmTotal% , , Beef Breed Registrations National Pedigreed Livestock Council

  Angus and Red Angus sired calves excel in calving ease (unassisted = UA) due to lighter birth wt.   In 30 years, relative to Hereford-Angus crosses, Continental breeds have reduced birth wt (9 vs. 4.2 lb) and improved direct calving ease, especially Simmental and Gelbvieh (formerly, 9% more assisted). Differences in maternal calving ease and birth weight were not significant in Cycle I and II, and are still not significant. However, maternal calving ease has been improved in Simmental relative to HA & AH (from 6% more to 13% less assistance in 2-yr-olds). Cycle VII Calving Ease (UA and CD) and Birth weight (BW) Sire of Calf Means (4 –10 yr olds) Sire breedUA CD BW % sc lb Hereford Angus Red Angus Simmental Gelbvieh Limousin Charolais Avg. LSD < Sire of Dam Means - Total Maternal Sire 2-yr-olds breed UA CD BW % sc lb Hereford Angus Red Angus Simmental Gelbvieh Limousin Charolais Avg. 1. LSD < Sire of Dam (Total Maternal) Sire of Calf (Direct)

Hereford Sired Steers

British (H, A, Ra) and Continental (S, G, L, and C) sired progeny do not differ significantly in Efficiency of Gain (live wt gain, lb/Mcal) to age or weight end points.

Progeny by British sire breeds (H, A, Ra) were more efficient (lb live wt gain/Mcal) than those by Continental (S, G, L, C) sire breeds to fatness endpoints Complementarity

Progeny of Continental European sire breeds (S, G, L, and C) had more efficient gains (Live wt gain/Mcal and retail product/Mcal) than progeny of British sire breeds (H, A, and Ra) to weight of retail product (496 lb retail product) endpoints

SIRE BREED MEANS FOR FINAL WEIGHT AND CARCASS TRAITS OF F1 STEERS (445 DAYS) F test ************ Hereford Angus Red Angus Simmental Gelbvieh Limousin Charolais LSD < Final RetailMarb-USDAWB Sire wt product lingChoice shear BreedN lb% lb sc % lb

USDA QUALITY GRADE X YIELD GRADE FOR HEREFORD, ANGUS AND RED ANGUS (N = 288) Quality grade USDA Yield grade, % TOTAL Low Pr High Ch Av. Ch Low Ch Select Standard 0.0 TOTAL

USDA QUALITY GRADE X YIELD GRADE FOR STEERS WITH SIMMENTAL, GELBVIEH, LIMOUSIN, AND CHAROLAIS SIRES (n = 361) Quality grade USDA Yield Grade, % TOTAL Low Pr High Ch Av. Ch Low Ch Select Standard TOTAL

British sired steers: 22 % Yield grade 4’s 14 % USDA Select 86% > USDA Choice Results are consistent with earlier results: steers with 50:50 ratios of Continental to British inheritance receive fewer severe discounts for yield grade 4 or USDA standard grade carcasses than steers with higher or lower ratios of Continental to British inheritance. Continental sired steers: 3.3 Yield Grade % USDA Standard, 42% USDA Select, 58% > USDA Choice Matching Genotype to Consumer Preferences

BREED GROUP MEANS (DEVIATIONS FROM HA & AH) FOR MATURE WEIGHT (ADJUSTED TO CONDITION SCORE OF 5.5) OF F1 CROSS COWS IN CYCLES I AND II (BIRTH YEARS: ) COMPARED TO CYCLE VII (BIRTH YEARS ), KG LSD < 26 (0)(- 3)(- 5)(- 42)(- 11)(- 20) (0)(29)(34)(15)(53)

Hereford Angus Red Angus Simmental Gelbvieh Limousin Charolais LSD < SIRE BREED MEANS FOR REPRODUCTION AND MATERNAL TRAITS OF F1 FEMALES MATED TO PRODUCE THEIR FIRST CALVES AT 2 YEARS OF AGE (2001 & 2002) SIRE BREED MEANS FOR REPRODUCTION AND MATERNAL TRAITS OF F1 FEMALES MATED TO PRODUCE THEIR FIRST CALVES AT 2 YEARS OF AGE (2001 & 2002) Sire Calf crop Calving Unassist. Birth 200-d wt per breed born wnd. diff. births wt. calf cow exp of female No. % % score % lb lb lb

Hereford Angus Red Angus Simmental Gelbvieh Limousin Charolais LSD < SIRE BREED MEANS FOR REPRODUCTION AND MATERNAL TRAITS OF F1 FEMALES MATED TO PRODUCE THEIR FIRST CALVES AT 3-5 YEARS OF AGE ( ) SIRE BREED MEANS FOR REPRODUCTION AND MATERNAL TRAITS OF F1 FEMALES MATED TO PRODUCE THEIR FIRST CALVES AT 3-5 YEARS OF AGE ( ) Sire Calf crop Calving Unassist. Birth 200-d wt per breed born wnd. diff. births wt. calf cow exp of female No. % % score % lb lb lb

Differences in reproduction rate, and calf survival to weaning not significant. Feed resources were not limiting! Cows were fed silage and hay in winter to meet nutrient requirements for maintenance and gestation.

BREAK

Genotype X Environment Interaction E 1 E 2 E 1 E 2 E 1 E 2 YYY Nointeraction Interaction Change in magnitude Interaction ranking

Matching Genetic Potential to the Feed Resources

Med. HighVery High Med. HighVery High (Energy Level) IntervalfromCalving to First ObservedEstrus(Days) H HF F Postpartum interval of Hereford (H) Hereford-Holstein, and Holstein fall calving females on three levels of supplementation during lactation as 2-, 3-, and 4- year olds (Kropp et al., 1972; Holloway, et al, 1973; Lusby et al., 1974)

Matching Genetic Potential to the Climatic Environment

Matching Genetic Potential to the Climatic Environment (Olson et al., 1991)

OUTPUT/INPUT DIFFERENCES AMONG BOS INDICUS X BOS TAURUS AND BOS TAURUS X BOS TAURUS F1 COWS (Green et al., 1991) ___________________________________________________ Overall _____Breed group (ratios)_______ Item mean HAXBmXSwXPzX_ Progeny (126 d) Wt gain, kg ME cons., Mca l Dams (126 d) Milk prod. kg/d Cow wt., kg Fat Probe, cm ME cons., Mcal Efficiency Prog Gain per Mcal ME, kg/Mcal ____________________________________________________

> to < to < to < to < < Bos indicus to Bos taurus ratio Temp (F o )0:10025:7550:5075:25Mean MORTALITY IN CALVES WITH DIFFERENT RATIOS OF BOS INDICUS TO BOS TAURUS INHERITANCE (Josey et al., 1993 )

Breed Effects as Deviations from AngusMonth Average Daily Gain, lb.

Shear Bos Indicus to Bos Taurus Ratio Shear, lb.

TRADEOFFS TRADEOFFS Bos indicus x Bos taurus crosses excel in Weaning weight per cow exposedWeaning weight per cow exposed Cow efficiencyCow efficiency especially in subtropical climates, but these advantages are tempered by: Older age at pubertyOlder age at puberty Reduced meat tendernessReduced meat tenderness Reduced gain and feed efficiency during winterReduced gain and feed efficiency during winter months in temperate environments months in temperate environments Increased mortality during spring calving inIncreased mortality during spring calving in temperate environments temperate environments

SIRE BREEDS USED IN THE GERMPLASM EVALUATION PROGRAM AT THE USMARC Cycle I Cycle II Cycle III Cycle IV Cycle V Cycle VI Cycle VII Cycle VIII F 1 Crosses (Hereford or Angus dams) a HerefordHerefordHerefordHerefordHerefordHerefordHerefordHereford AngusAngusAngusAngusAngusAngusAngusAngus JerseyRed PollBrahmanLonghornTuliWagyuRed AngusBeefmaster S. DevonBraunviehSahiwalSalersBoranNorweg. RedLimousinBrangus LimousinGelbviehPinzgauerGallowayBelg. Blue Sw. Red&Wh.CharolaisBonsmara SimmentalMaine Anj.TarentaiseNelloreBrahmanFriesianSimmentalRomosinuano CharolaisChianinaShorthornPiedmonteseGelbvieh Piedmontese 3-way crossesCharolais HerefordHerefordGelbvieh AngusAngusPinzgauer BrahmanBrangus DevonSanta Gertrudis Holstein a Sire breeds mated to Angus and Hereford females, Composite MARC III (1/4 Angus, Hereford, Red Poll and Pinzgauer) cows were also included in Cycles V, VI, and VII.

Boran

Final Marb-USDA14-d Sire wt Retail product lingChoiceShear breed No. kg % kgscore % kg Hereford Angus Brahman Original Current Boran Tuli Nellore LSD < SIRE BREED MEANS FOR FINAL WEIGHT AND CARCASS TRAITS OF F1 STEERS (447 d)

2-years of age 3 to 7 years of age 2-years of age 3 to 7 years of age Calf 200-day wt Calf 200-day wt. Age at crop per per cow crop per per cow Age at crop per per cow crop per per cow Sire breed puberty, wnd. calf exposed wnd. calf exposed Sire breed puberty, wnd. calf exposed wnd. calf exposed of female No. days % lb lb % lb lb of female No. days % lb lb % lb lb Hereford Angus Avg Avg Brahman Original Original Current Current Avg Avg Boran Tuli Piedmont Belg. Blue LSD BREED GROUP MEANS FOR REPRODUCTION AND MATERNAL TRAITS

Cycle VIII Cycle VIII MARCLSU M&F F M&F F Hereford X AngusX BeefmasterXX BrangusXX RomosinuanoXX BonsmaraXX Genotype X Environment Interaction

TABLE 14. SIRE BREED MEANS FOR FINAL WEIGHT AND CARCASS TRAITS OF F1 STEERS PRODUCED IN CYCLE VIII (426 DAYS, 2001 & 2002 CALF CROPS) Hereford Angus Brangus Beefmaster Bonsmara Romosinuano LSD < Final Retail USDA W-B Sire wt product Marb. Choice shear BreedN kg % kg score % kg

2-years of age 3 to 4 years of age Sire Age Calf 200-day wt Calf 200-day wt. breed at crop per per cow crop per per cow of puberty wnd. calf exposed wnd. calf exposed female No. % lb lb % lb lb BREED GROUP MEANS FOR REPRODUCTION AND MATERNAL TRAITS OF F1 FEMALES IN CYCLE VIII OF THE GPE PRORAM AT MARC Hereford Angus Brangus Beefmaster Bonsmara Romosinuano LSD <

Matching Genetic Potential to the Climatic Environment In hotter more humid climates of the gulf coast cattle with ~ 50% tropical adapted germplasm may be optimal. In more intermediate subtropics, cattle with ~25% tropically adapted germplasm may be optimal.

Breeds Grouped into Biological Types for Seven Criteria Growth Lean Marbling rate & to (Intra- Age Milk mature fat muscular Tender- at pro- Tropical Breed size ratio fat) ness puberty duction adaptation Angus XXXX XX XXXX XXXXX XXXX Red Angus XXXX XX XXXX XXXXX XXXX HerefordXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Shorthorn XXXX XX XXXX XXXXX XXXX GelbviehXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Simmental XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX LimousinXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX CharolaisXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX RomosinuanoXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TuliXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BrangusXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BeefmasterXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Santa Gertrudis XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX BonsmaraXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BrahmanXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX NelloreXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BoranXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Sahiwal XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX

A COMPILATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS INVOLVING TROPICALLY ADAPTED BEEF CATTLE BREEDS S-243 and S-277 Multi-state Research Projects Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin 405 Proceedings: Tropically Adapted Breeds Southern Section ASAS February 8, 2005 Little Rock, Arkansas livestock/ livestock/beef cattle/breeding genetics/trpoical+breeds.htm

Cross breeding or composite populations can be used to exploit: HETEROSIS HETEROSIS COMPLEMENTARITY among breeds optimize performance for important traits and match genetic potential with: COMPLEMENTARITY among breeds optimize performance for important traits and match genetic potential with: Market preferences Feed resources Climatic environment BREED DIFFERENCES an important genetic resource