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Monday 30 September 2013

Taking Advantage Of Beef Cattle Genetics

By Paulette Short


Beef cattle genetics seeks to identify realistic limits for a herd to ensure that your expectations on production are reasonable. Knowing the limits makes business sense since profits are easy to predict. Knowing the potential of each herd simplifies the process of marketing. Profits are manageable in the context of enterprise if the performance of each cow is known.

Important performance indicators under focus during genomics include survival rates, weaning rate, calving ease, cow weight and sale weight. Experts also evaluate the retail beef yield, marbling score and P8 fat depth. These are some of the factors that determine the quality of a breed. The animal will contribute more to the enterprise when these factors are studied and enhanced.

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.

Knowledge of the behavior of animals is used to determine management techniques including the need for supervision during calving. Selecting a breed that has manageable temperaments reduces the cost of production. There are fewer conflicts with other animals and destruction of sheltering structures. A specific genotype suits an enterprise venture. The benefits are either cumulative, permanent or make it relatively cheaper to rear a particular breed.

The traits of the bull are crucial in determining the quality and performance of the next generation. Superiority depends on the market qualities desired and the environment the animals are bred in. The intentions of improvement are to raise commercial viability of a herd. Experts are at a better position to select the most productive combination of traits for a commercial venture. They are guided by the goals of each enterprise.

Improvement of the genetic composition of a breed is a continuous process. One of the risky factors in such a process is inbreeding. Selective culling should take place with the aim of refining a herd. Everything done should have the expectations of the market in mind. This demands a well thought tactical approach.

The commercial purpose of a herd gives an indication of a desirable bull for the purpose. Individuals engaged in enterprise should focus more on getting the best value for money. Seasoned breeders are in a position to produce the best animals depending on the targeted end. Other factors used to refine a herd are cross breeding and change of breed.

Beef cattle genetics seeks to exploit the hereditary traits of different animals for economic gains. The traits are within breeds and across breeds. The control point is mainly the bull because a single one can sire numerous calves. Improvements should focus beyond genetics to include nutrition, herd selection as well as marketing strategy. This makes the entire process cost effective with the aim of improving profit margins.




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