1. Keith Vander Velde UW Extension
BEEF CATTLE GENETICS
Keith Vander Velde
UW Extension
11/13/2018

2. Terminology Terminology EPD’s-------- Expected Progeny Differences
11/13/2018

3. Terminology Terminology EPD’s-------- Expected Progeny Differences
Differences in production of the progeny for a given trait between two individuals in the breed
11/13/2018

4. Terminology Terminology EPD’s-------- Expected Progeny Differences
Differences in production of the progeny for a given trait between two individuals in the breed
Best method available to identify differences in bulls and cows
11/13/2018

5. Terminology
Accuracy--tells how reliable the EPD is for the individual trait
11/13/2018

6. Terminology
Accuracy--Tells how reliable the EPD is for the individual trait
Range from .01(lowest) >.99(Highest and least likely to change)
11/13/2018

7. EXAMPLE
Need a bull for breeding our heifers
11/13/2018

8. EXAMPLE Need a bull for breeding our heifers
Want to keep birth weights light
11/13/2018

9. EXAMPLE Sire A--Actual Birth Weight-75 lbs. Birth Weight EPD- +4
Sire B- Actual Birth Weight-88 lbs. Birth Weight EPD-+1
11/13/2018

10. EXAMPLE
We would expect the calves from Sire B to weigh 3 lbs. less at birth
Sire A was out of a first calf heifer and Sire B was out of a cow
11/13/2018

11. LESSON
EPD’s include all the progeny data on 3 generations of relatives and include individual performance
A single weight measure is a poor indicator of future production
11/13/2018

12. EPD’s Calving ease- Direct and Maternal Weaning Weight Yearling Weight
Birth Weight
Maternal Milk
Maternal Weaning Weight
Carcass Traits
Scrotal Circumference
Longevity
11/13/2018

13. Methods of Comparing Bull in Different Breeds
Across Breed EPD’s
Use MARC herd to compare breeds and track genetic trends
Tables Available for adjusting to a common base
Simmental and Gelbvieh make to adjustment in Sire Analysis
11/13/2018

14. Across Breed EPD’s
Allow us to compare Hereford to Angus--4 lbs difference in Birth Weights
11/13/2018

15. Use of Crossbreeding
One free lunch out there for the agricultural industry
11/13/2018

16. CROSSBREEDING
Already used by the poultry, swine, wheat, seed corn and soybean industries
11/13/2018

17. CROSSBREEDING
Already used by the poultry, swine, wheat, seed corn and soybean industries
Allows producers to combine different breeds to get desired outcome, we refer to this as complementation
Allows us to maximize heterosis
11/13/2018

18. CROSSBREEDING
Heterosis or hybrid vigor is the additional performance we achieve when combing two different breeds
11/13/2018

19. CROSSBREEDING
Heterosis or hybrid vigor is the additional performance we achieve when combing two different breeds
Breed A averages 450 lbs weaning weight
Breed B averages 500 lbs weaning weight
11/13/2018

20. CROSSBREEDING
Heterosis or hybrid vigor is the additional performance we achieve when combing two different breeds
Breed A = 450 lbs weaning weight
Breed B = 500 lbs weaning weight
We would expect the progeny of the mating to weight 475 lbs
11/13/2018

21. CROSSBREEDING
Heterosis or hybrid vigor is the additional performance we achieve when combing two different breeds
Breed A = 450 lbs weaning weight
Breed B = 500 lbs weaning weight
We would expect the progeny of the mating to weight 475 lbs
With heterosis the calves = 480 lbs.
11/13/2018

22. HETEROSIS
Added an additional 15 lbs of calf weight
11/13/2018

23. HETEROSIS Added an additional 15 lbs of calf weight
Study beginning in 1957 thru present at Fort Robinson, Neb
11/13/2018

24. HETEROSIS Added an additional 15 lbs of calf weight
Study beginning in 1957 thru present at Fort Robinson, Neb
Breeds used Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn
11/13/2018

25. HETEROSIS
Added an additional 15 lbs wn wt Study beginning in 1957 thru present at Fort Robinson, Neb
Breeds = Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn
Straightbred Sire on Straightbred cow of other breed compared to straight calves showed an increase of 29 lbs or 8.9% increase
11/13/2018

26. HETEROSIS Added an additional 15 lbs wn wt
Breeds = Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn
Straightbred Sire on Straightbred cow of other breed compared to straight calves showed an increase of 29 lbs or 8.9% increase
When crossbred dams were bred to 3rd breed sire calf weight increased 80 lbs over the straight breds and 51lbs. Over the F-l crossbred calves
11/13/2018

27. Crossbred vs Straightbred Cows
77 crossbred cows will wean same total weight of calves as 100 straightbreds
11/13/2018

28. Crossbreds vs Straightbreds
77 crossbred cows will wean same total weight of calves as 100 straightbreds
Due to:
improved reproductive performance
faster growth rate,
better milk production,
improved survival rate
increased longevity
11/13/2018

29. Crossbreeding Trail Results
11/13/2018

30. Heterosis 2 bred cross-67% 3 bred cross-87% Terminal Sire -100%
11/13/2018

31. Heterosis
Use of Composites
11/13/2018

32. Heterosis Use of composites Animals of two or more breed Combinations
11/13/2018

33. Heterosis
Composites useful in reducing pastures and adding uniformity of size and color
11/13/2018

34. Heterosis Maintain heterosis Formula= 1-{ (%breed) 2 + (%breed)2}
11/13/2018

35. Crossbreeding systems
Require a plan
Many possible options
No one right program
We can design one for you
11/13/2018

36. Thank you for you participation
Beef Cattle Genetics
Thank you for you participation
11/13/2018