The first objective to be considered is whether the animal you’re wanting to produce is destined to be utilized in a maternal breeding program or as a terminal animal for beef. The selection criteria for these two options are vastly different, and I’ll go into more detail in paragraphs to come.
A premise to consider is that there are two types of traits in a maternal breeding program. Profit Traits, which include environmental adaptability, nutritional adaptability, functional efficiency, fertility, and longevity. Turnover Traits, which include growth, muscle, milk, and marbling. Turnover Traits are important but are totally meaningless if Profit Traits are not used to lay the initial foundation.
Every breeding decision needs to be made according to objectives, resources, and environment. Without matching these decisions to these three factors, there’s a very good chance of missing your target.
In maternal animals, cattle need to be able to eat, walk, and reproduce. Focusing on the five Profit Traits listed above is first and foremost.
Balance is essential. This includes physiological and endocrinological balance, carcass balance (muscle/fat ratio), skeletal balance, and hormonal balance. High inherent body condition (easy fleshing ability/do-ability/constitution) plus hormonal balance equals fertility.
In terminal animals, the fundamental Profit Traits remain vital. In animals bred for a high-yielding carcass, factors to focus on are a high growth rate and large rib-eye area. Dimension is essential too, as three-dimensional animals produce heavier carcasses. Carcass balance is still essential, as fat cover is needed for good grading and fleshing ability while muscle is required for yield.
Structural soundness is essential in terminal animals too. Structurally unsound animals tend to founder and go lame when in the feedlot. These animals lose their appetite and don’t gain appropriately. Also, steers have sisters out grazing on pasture their entire lives, so ignoring structure in terminal bred cattle is dangerous.
NOTE: PJ Budler was the guest speaker at our three presale meetings. PJ is brilliant when it comes to genetics and structural correctness. That is very much appreciated when you realize every status quo beef publication is chock-full of pictures of structurally incorrect cows and bulls.
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